Castration and sterilization of animals

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Sterilization of animals is a topic that causes a lot of controversy. Despite the educational work of veterinarians, shelters and volunteers, many today are sure that this step is inhuman and cruel. However, the arguments of the supporters of "humanity" are often a discordant series of statements devoid of logic. How does everything really happen? Let's look at the issue one by one.

Society attitude

As a rule, the opponents of sterilization of animals are those who have no pets at all. These same people also like to complain about the irresponsibility of municipal authorities in relation to packs of stray dogs. On the one hand, they condemn castration, but on the other hand, they themselves are not averse to resorting to the services of dog hunters.

The problem lies in the low level of awareness. Most adversaries simply do not think about reasonable alternatives to trapping and shooting. Fortunately, confident arguments and reasoned statements of experts can work wonders. Nowadays, more and more skeptics are thinking about the rationality of this approach.

Nature will figure it out…

Perhaps this is the favorite and the most common saying among those who oppose sterilizationneglected animals. Of course, we will not doubt the wisdom of mother nature. But let's honestly admit that man intervened in the course of natural evolutionary processes several millennia ago. By domesticating the steppe cat and the wolf, we took responsibility for these animals and their descendants.

The relatives of domestic cats and dogs living on free bread feel great without human help. A wild animal knows how to hunt, hide, take care of cubs, protecting them from harsh conditions and natural enemies. Populations are affected by natural selection. Moreover, many species need protection, not reproduction control.

What happens to those whose ancestors were domesticated? The habitat and diet have changed, hunting skills have become dull, immunity has weakened, but predators ready to attack have become many times less.

Since the wild beast was invited to the cave as an assistant and guard, 9-15 centuries have passed. During this time, a huge number of breeds have been obtained, each of which has its own qualities. Is it possible to imagine a baby Pekingese hunting in the wild more often? Is it possible for a beautiful British woman to feed herself and her cubs in the steppe? Many thoroughbred animals are not even able to digest ordinary human food and need a special balanced diet. What can we say about raw meat. How can nature figure it out if her creation was pulled out of natural conditions, abandoned in a modern metropolis, accustomed to an atypical lifestyle and diet? Let's be honest to the end: for those whom man has made a companion,he must answer for himself, and not rely on natural mechanisms.

Impressive numbers

Experts have calculated that one pair of cats can have 12 kittens per year on average. The dog during this time will give birth to 18 puppies. Can you believe that during the same period, 30 people who want to get a pet will come from somewhere? Of course, demand is many times less than the rapidly growing supply.

And if you build a geometric progression, it is easy to calculate that in 10 years from one pair of cats there will be 80 thousand "heirs". After all, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will multiply at the same rate. A pair of dogs in a decade will “give the world” 60,000 useless descendants.

The Way of the Homeless Kid

What awaits those who are not lucky enough to find their man? After all, there are not so many cases when someone takes a pet into the house from the street. Moreover, the older the animal becomes, the less likely it is to become a pet.

The fate of a street tramp is unenviable. Hunger, illness, the struggle for a warm corner under the pipes of the heating main, the attacks of larger and stronger comrades in misfortune…

It is worth noting that a beast born and surviving in such conditions acquires certain skills. Growing up, he will learn to be afraid of cars, stop letting aggressive people in, and explore all the nooks and crannies on his territory. Sterilization of homeless animals could stop this endless chain of bleak fates.

Streetanimals as a threat

About the attack of dogs distraught from hunger on people, many have heard. Such an emergency can happen not only in a remote village, but also in a large city. In addition, homeless animals often become carriers of many diseases, including those dangerous to humans.

Catching flocks with subsequent euthanasia or even placement in shelters does not bring the desired effect. The vacated territory is immediately occupied by new hordes.

Why should pets be spayed?

It would seem that the horrors of street life do not threaten those who grew up in a warm apartment among loving people. But offspring of domestic cats and dogs often become vagrants. If the owner is sure that the sterilization of animals is inhumane and harmful, and at the same time his pet occasionally walks uncontrollably on the street, the population growth problem only gets worse.

Some owners believe that by castrating a cat, they deprive him of happiness. But when an animal demands love and affection, while making heart-rending cries and leaving fetid marks everywhere, it is simply released into the street.

The fate of kittens born in an apartment and then carefully taken out into the yard in a box in the hope that “good hands” will be found is even more unenviable. Indeed, unlike those who were born homeless, these kids simply do not know how to survive on the street. Most of them die.

Of course, our recommendations do not apply to those who purchase animals for breeding. But if you dream of a thoroughbred dog, but do not plan to mess aroundwith puppies, it is better to give her this procedure.

The fact is that an unsterilized pet that does not have regular mating suffers from unrealized opportunities. Hormone levels go off scale, this can lead to a number of diseases. A pet may die at a young age. And the behavior of a sexually mature excited cat or dog cannot be called good. Scolding a pet is pointless and even cruel - it is not his fault that his natural instinct beckons him to his own kind.

Therefore, if you do not plan to breed offspring, you should not torture the beast. Sterilization will make his life easier, and the life of the owners too.

How is this happening?

Sterilization of pets can be done both in a veterinary clinic and at home. In each case, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is desirable. Males tolerate the procedure more easily, and females will have an abdominal operation, during which the ovaries are removed, sometimes along with the uterus. In time, it takes no more than half an hour.

Caring for an animal after surgery

The cat will forget about the experience the very next day. In rare cases, drowsiness may occur. The cat needs a supportive bandage and rest for a week. Sutures should be washed and treated daily. In addition, veterinarians advise wearing a protective collar around the neck of the animal so that it cannot reach the wounds and lick them.

As for dogs, a lot depends on the breed. Most quadrupeds toleratesurgery and recover quickly.

Animal spay scars heal well. After a month, you will hardly be able to find traces among the regrown fur.

Diet and vitamins for sterilized animals

If your pet is accustomed to dry food, canned food or pouches, chances are you will easily find a special food among the products of the same manufacturer. Many brands produce nutrition designed specifically for those who have undergone a sterilization procedure. There are also tableted vitamins in veterinary pharmacies.

Special diet is desirable but not required. By the way, it is worth mentioning another common misconception. There is an opinion that after sterilization, the pet will inevitably acquire excess weight. In fact, problems can be associated solely with overfeeding, improperly selected diet and low mobility. Then watch what your animal eats, encourage active games.

Features of behavior

The following myth is more relevant for dog owners. Some of them are convinced that the sterilization and castration of animals leads to the loss of guard, shepherd, fighting or watchdog skills. However, such procedures reduce only sexual activity, without affecting the character, temperament and skills.

The only thing that can change in behavior is the level of aggression. A beast that does not need to fight for a partner with rivals becomes calmer and kinder.

Personal contribution: how can you help?

State programs for the sterilization of homeless animals, tounfortunately not large enough. They have a result, but still the streets are crowded with useless beasts. Therefore, many activists of volunteer organizations often organize targeted collections to help the maximum number of vagrants.

Even those who do not have pets at all can provide considerable assistance. Follow the information on the websites of city shelters, provide all possible assistance to volunteers. It may consist of voluntary contributions, overexposure of animals in the postoperative period and care for them, dissemination of information. Remember: the more people learn the truth about sterilization, the less unfortunate four-legged babies will be born. The sooner society changes its view of the problem, the more effective the measures taken will be.