In recent news for those who live in Rhode Island a law was passed for cat owners. Anyone who has a cat must spay or neuter their cat before they reach six months old. Farmers are excluded from this law. If you fail to comply with the current law there are fines.The governor of Rhode Island spoke about the reasoning behind this law.
The bill is necessary to ensure that a lower number of cats will be euthanized in the state of Rhode Island. Many of the cities and towns are experiencing higher than average deaths for cats because there are not enough homes for these pets. The housing and feeding costs are also at an all time high. 2004 showed 1,600 strays were caught and impounded. Of that number less than half were given homes. If a cat owner doesn’t want to spay or neuter their pet they must obtain a breeder’s license. This license will cost $100. The fee goes towards helping the shelters and humane societies to fund their costs. If a person fails to follow the law a fine of $75 will be instigated.
Spaying or neutering a cat or dog is a very common place procedure. Studies show that at least five surgeries are completed a day at vet clinics on both dogs and cats. The surgery the pets must undergo, specifically cats is usually a simple procedure. However, some complications have been known to occur. This is one reason the cost of the procedure can see extremely high. Before you submit your pet to the surgery it is imperative that you discuss the procedure with your vet. The vet should detail the exact procedure and the use of anesthesia. They should also mention the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. There are several known benefits, and a few myths to dispel.
When you spay your cat or dog you are removing the uterus and ovaries. In other words spaying is the female version of sterilization. Your cat or dog will go into heat when they are not spayed. This means they have a lovable side to you and other animals. They can also have temperamental issues during this time. During the “heat” phase a cat or dog will seek a mate.Spaying doesn’t yield an overweight cat.The reason the uterus is removed is inflammation can occur after a time if it is left in the body. Technically the ovaries carry the eggs, but the uterus can become infected by leaving it in the body. The surgery is usually considered minor, but complications can arise in certain pets. This is why the charge for the surgery can seem a little higher than you would normally think.
To neuter a dog or cat you are castrating them. In other words you are removing their reproductive organ that contains the sperm. The male will be sterile after this surgery because they can no longer produce sperm. There are several benefits to neutering your pet. First, they will not want to mark their territory, they won’t want to breed, and they will not have issues with testosterone. Most pet owners of dogs that want a guard or hunter have found they are easier to train when they are sterile. The change in behavior is often very noticeable.
A cat or dog will not become overweight or have a significant temperament change. In fact a cat or dog that is not spayed or neutered can have temperamental issues. The hormones needed for breeding can cause the dog to behave oddly or even mark their territory. Rendering them sterilized helps with these negative feelings. So a cat or dog will not be overweight or other issues unless they have another underlying health issue or you take improper care of them. The procedure for your dog or cat should be done by the time they are 6 months old to 2 years old. You should also be prepared to administer antibiotics for about 10 days.
