Pet overpopulation is very sad, expensive and a troubling trend. An average of 10 million pets are euthanized each year at our nation’s shelters. You can save lives and help solve the pet overpopulation tragedy by spaying and neutering your pet to reduce the number of dogs and cats being euthanized. Just one female dog or cat has the capability of producing tens of thousands of other animals as each generation also reproduces. There is just not enough homes for them all… Please Spay and Neuter your Pets!
What is spaying?
Spaying is the term used for surgical sterilization of a female pet, which is the removal of her ovaries and uterus. The surgery is technically referred to as ovariohysterectomy.
What is neutering?
Although neutering can apply to sterilization surgery on both male and female animals, it is generally used to refer to the surgery on male animals. A male dog or cat is neutered by surgically removing his testicles. The surgery is technically referred to as castration.
When is the right time for my dog/cat to have a surgery?
Traditionally, surgery has been performed starting at the age of six (6) months but in recent years, puppies and kittens as young as eight (8) weeks are being spayed or neutered. This practice has been widely approved by veterinary groups. Consult your veterinarian for more information.
Is there a program out there that can help me pay for the surgery?
Yes. If you have a dog or cat that is not yet spayed or neutered, the City of Oxnard Animal Safety will pay up to $60 for dogs or up to $50 for cats towards the surgery for your animal¿ at the participating vet of your choice. The surgery will reduce your next license fee from $50 to $20 per year! The only thing we need from you is for your pet to be currently licensed with us. If you are interested in this program, please call a participating vet of your choice for an appointment. Voucher will not be issued without an appointment. If you have limited income and cannot afford to pay for pet sterilization, you may contact the following non-profit organizations:
Valley Veterinary Clinic Charitable Non-Profit Corporation
1659 East Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93065
805.584.3823
Mercy Crusade’s Spay, Neuter & Wellness Clinic
2252 Craig Drive, Oxnard, CA 93036
805.278.4433
Why should I spay or neuter my pet?
Let’s do the math: 1 + 1 = 4,372 How’s that? 1 female dog and 1 male dog and their offspring can produce 4,372 puppies in 7 years. Let’s try it again: 1 + 1 = 420,000 How’s that? 1 female cat and 1 male cat and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in 7 years. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for you, your pet and your community.
Spaying and neutering is good for you!
- Saves money. Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying and neutering can make your pets better companions.
- Neutering cats make them less likely to spray and mark their territory with pungent urine.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. In dogs, estrus lasts an average of 6 to 12 days – twice a year. In cats, estrus lasts an average of 6 to 7 days – three or more times a year. Female cats in heat can cry incessantly, and female dogs and cats in heat may appear nervous and may attract unwanted males.
- Neutering can make pets less likely to roam, run away, or get into fights.
- Fertile animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.
- Neutering may make dogs less likely to bite.
Spaying and neutering is good for your pet!
- Spaying and neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially when your pet is spayed before the first heat.
- Spaying can prevent various reproductive tract disorders.
- Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of benign prostate disease.
Spaying and neutering is good for your community!
- Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. An estimated 8 to 10 million animals enter animal shelters each year. An estimated 4 to 5 million animals are euthanized each year.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
- The stray/feral cat population is estimated to be in tens of millions. Stray pets and homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Pet overpopulation is very sad, expensive and a troubling trend. An average of 10 million pets are destroyed each year at our nation’s shelters. You can save lives and help solve the pet overpopulation tragedy by spaying and neutering your pet. This will reduce the number of dogs and cats being euthanized. Just one female dog or cat, in its lifetime, has the capability of producing tens of thousands of other animals as each generation also reproduces.