By spaying her before her first heat, you are protecting her almost 100% from getting mammary cancer (and she’ll never get uterine or ovarian cancer).

2. My pet will get fat and lazy when she/he is spayed or neutered. - FALSE

Your pet will get fat and lazy if he/she eats too much and doesn’t get any exercise!

3. Spay/neuter surgery is expensive. - FALSE

There are many resources that provide low-cost surgery. You can call 1-800-248-SPAY for more information.

4. The only way to find a purebred dog is from a breeder. - FALSE

Nearly 25% of shelter animals are purebred! There are also many breed-specific rescue groups!

5. If my dog has puppies, they'll be just like her. - FALSE

There are many factors that determine the temperament of the pup, such as genetics (from mother and father), environment, and chance.

6. My pet seems healthy. I only need to get vaccines for him/her. - FALSE

It is just as important for your pet to get a good physical exam every year. By checking eyes, ears, heart, and other organs, we can often treat a hidden problem before it’s too late.

7. My puppy just had her first set of shots, so now she can go to the dog park. - FALSE

Your puppy will not receive adequate protection until several weeks after her last set of shots, usually around 4 months of age.

8. An unneutered dog is almost 3 times more likely to bite than a neutered dog. - TRUE

An uneutered dog is 2.6 times more likely to bite. Aggression behavior problems will be more common, and children may be bitten.

9. Neutering will take away the "guard dog" instinct. - FALSE

While neutering will decrease aggression, your dog will still protect his territory. He will also be less distracted by nearby female dogs in heat. Thus, he’ll be more focused on his family!

10. My dog should have one litter before she gets spayed. - FALSE

By spaying her before her first heat, you are protecting her almost 100% from getting mammary cancer (and she’ll never get uterine or ovarian cancer).

11. My child should experience the "miracle of birth" by watching our dog have a litter. - FALSE

Most cats and dogs prefer to give birth in private, and interference by humans can often cause more stress for them. There are videos available for this purpose. By spaying or neutering your pet, you will be teaching your child to be a responsible pet owner!

12. My pet must be at least 6 months old before spay or neuter surgery. - TRUE

Spay/neuter surgery can safely be done in kittens and puppies as young as 8 weeks! While old school thought said to wait until 6 months, many studies have proven that early-age spay/neuter surgery has no negative side effects. (While more and more veterinarians are getting trained in early-age spay/neuter, most vets feel more comfortable waiting until the pet is at least 3-4 months old.)

13. There are many wonderful animals at the shelter waiting for a loving home. - TRUE

Please consider opening your home (and your heart) to a shelter animal! Over 4 million cats and dogs are killed at shelters every year because there are simply not enough homes. Safe a life and rescue your next pet!