Education

Thinking About Spaying or Neutering Your Pet?
Here are Some of the Benefits and Perks!

Spayed or Neutered pets are more affectionate companions. They are less likely to bite with fewer temperament problems.
They'll live longer, healthier lives. Spaying female dogs & cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Neutered male dogs & cats have greatly reduced incidences of prostate cancer. Neutered cats are less likely to spray & mark territory.
Neutered dogs & cats are less likely to roam or fight.
The heat cycle is eliminated in female dogs & cats. Female cats in heat often cry constantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted males. Dogs have a bloody discharge for about 10 days per cycle, and will also attract unwanted males. For dogs, heat can last 21 days and occur 2 times each year. For cats, heat can last from 3 to 15 days and occur 3 or more times each year.

There are many myths and misconceptions regarding spay/neutering. Please ask your veterinarian or contact the Humane Society for more information.

What is Pet Overpopulation?

Pet-over-population is a result of too many animals not being spayed/neutered.

DID YOU KNOW?

For the mating cycle of two cats the result is a total of 420,000 kittens within a 7 year period.
For two dogs the result is a total of 4,372 puppies within a 7 year period.

BOTTOM LINE: THERE ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH HOMES FOR ALL THE DOGS & CATS BORN EVERY DAY IN LA PLATA COUNTY. PLEASE PREVENT A LITTER AND SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR CRITTER!!!

Courtesy of www.justonelitter.com

Avoiding Dog Bites

Q. How can I avoid being bitten by a dog?

A. Never approach a strange dog, especially one who's tied or confined behind a fence or in a car. Don't pet a dog--even your own--without letting him see and sniff you first. Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog's natural instinct will be to chase and catch you. Don't disturb a dog while she's sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies. Be cautious around strange dogs. Always assume that a dog who doesn't know you may see you as an intruder or a threat.

Q. What should I do if I think a dog may attack?

A. If you are approached by a dog who may attack you, follow these steps:

Never scream and run
Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight.
If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.
If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.

Q. What should I do If I am bitten by a dog?

A. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic.

Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Contact your physician for additional care and advice
Report the bite to your local animal care and control agency. Call Central Dispatch at 385-2900 so that an Animal Control Officer can take your report. Tell the animal control officer everything you know about the dog, including his owner's name and the address where he lives. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control officer what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether you've seen him before, and in which direction he went.

Q. Can children be taught to avoid being bitten by a dog?

A. Yes, just as we teach our children to practice safety in other situations, we can teach them to be safe around dogs. The most important lessons for children to learn are not to chase or tease dogs they know and to avoid dogs they don't know.

-Information provided by the Humane Society of United States hsus.org