Fixing" What Isn't Broken
Every pet owner knows that there are enormous responsibilities that go along with having
a cat or dog. It must be fed and exercised, and it must be given love, attention, and protection.
There’s another responsibility that not all pet owners think about, however: spaying or neutering,
or “fixing.” What does “fixing” a pet mean? Simply put, it means a quick, cheap surgery that will
prevent a pet from ever becoming a mother or father. This surgery solves problems that pet
owners know about, and some that they might not have considered before. In fact, all pet owners
should be required to have their pets fixed because failure to do so overburdens shelters, causes
pain and suffering to unwanted pets, and increases the health risks of pets and owners alike.
1
Everybody loves a cute new puppy or kitten.
2
But those cute babies soon get bigger, and
right now, there simply aren’t enough homes for them all. Some unwanted animals go to shelters,
but these shelters have limited funds and limited space, and they cannot keep all the animals they
collect3
(Esmonde).
4
If a cat or dog is not adopted within a certain time period, that animal is
euthanized. Besides, not all unwanted animals go to a shelter. What happens to a homeless
animal left out on the street? Pets aren’t wild animals. They cannot find fresh water or hunt their
own food, especially in a city. They cannot understand traffic laws, so they often get struck by
cars. They are susceptible to common illnesses—which can then spread to other animals,
including pets. They are not tame, so they may attack other animals or people. In either case, the
life of most unwanted animals is not long, but it is full of misery and pain, and it’s also
dangerous to other animals or people who they meet. By not “fixing” one’s own animal, a pet
owner will almost certainly be adding to this problem.
Another thing to consider is the health of the pet itself.
5
Animals, especially those who
eat processed foods, are prone to the same illnesses as humans, like heart disease and cancer. A
spayed or neutered animal is at less risk from certain kinds of cancer. Furthermore, animals who
are not fixed can sometimes behave aggressively when trying to find mates. They can injure
themselves trying to escape from their homes, or they may fight with other animals.
Additionally, while running free, they are in danger from cars. And finally, for females who
become mothers, giving birth is not a safe process. For the ordinary pet owner, all these reasons
should be strong enough to convince them to “fix” their dear pet.
Of course, some people will not agree.
6
“I don’t want to give my animal an unnecessary
surgery,” they will say. “Surgery is risky, too, and it’s certainly expensive.” That idea shows
ignorance. Spaying or neutering should be done as soon as you get your pet—when he or she is
young and healthy—and it is almost 100% safe. Your animal is in much more danger if not
fixed,
7
for the urge to run away from home will put your pet in extremely dangerous situations.
And almost all cities have a fund to help pay for the surgery. Just ask at a vet or the local
Humane Society. The cost can be as low as fifteen dollars (“I have an animal”).
Others might feel that this surgery will change their pet’s personality.
8
They might think
that a “fixed” dog might not be a good watchdog, for example. Or they may simply say “I like
my pet the way he/she is” (Rita_alabama). This shows a basic misunderstanding of what the
effects of spaying or neutering are.9
A pet’s personality, like a human’s personality, is his or her
own, and it won’t change after a “fixing.” It’s true that some behaviors will change. A pet won’t
want to mark objects with urine as much, and females won’t go into heat every few months (“I
have an animal”). A watchdog will still be vigilant, but it probably won’t want to fight with other
dogs as much. This simple surgery solves many behavior problems that can frustrate pet
owners.
10
The best solution is simply to get your pet “fixed” as soon as you get it home, as young
as possible. That way, fewer bad habits will form.
There’s really no valid reason not to spay or neuter your pet. Whether considering the
potential suffering of unborn animals, the health and comfort of one’s own pet, or the
convenience as a pet owner, the facts all show that spaying or neutering is the way to go. It’s not
only the convenient choice, but also the morally right choice, and one that all pet owners should
make.