What did Corky and Fly learn at the shelter?

A few Things Corky and Fly Learned at the Pinellas County Shelter (Article 5 of 5)

To read the 1st 4 articles of Corky and Fly’s experience with Animal Services see May 21, June 30, July 3, and July 11    blog

Sure enough, our owners came for us at the shelter as soon as they got back from vacation. They were so happy to see us. Fly did his wiggle butt while I looked cute and wagged my tail. We had a great week and can’t wait to share with other dogs and cats in the neighborhood.  We learned a lot while we were there too:

Common misconceptions (myths) and rumors:

Most of these myths have been passed along for years and years without any basis in fact. People still believe false statements like: "It will calm her down to have a litter," and "He needs to sow his oats," or "It will make her/him more protective." These are all inaccurate viewpoints and you have probably heard them all! Let’s look at a few more.

Fact: Spaying/Neuter a dog or cat at an early age is not only beneficial for the pet; it is also the responsible thing to do as a pet owner.

Myth #1: Spaying/Neuter makes a dog or cat fat and lazy.

 With the right amount of food and exercise, your pet will not become fat. He will require fewer calories to maintain proper weight and should be fed less - he will be less expensive to feed! A dog's laziness or inactivity depends on his personality and temperament.

Myth #2: Dogs and cats should have one litter before being spayed.

 There is no health benefit to allowing a dog or cat to give birth before being spayed. To the contrary, dogs and cats which are spayed at a young age and before the first heat cycle have significantly lower risks of developing mammary cancers as they get older. Having a litter does not in any way improve or change a pet's disposition. It will however drain her body of nutrients, make her thin, and can weaken her bones and teeth.

Myth #3: Dogs and cats should not be spayed until 6 months of age.

 While this was the recommendation several years ago, it is no longer recommended to wait until a dog or cat is 6 months of age to spay. In fact, early spaying and neutering is being routinely performed at animal shelters throughout the United States as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age without ill effects.

Myth #4: Dogs and cats should be allowed to come into heat before being spayed.

 Spaying a dog or cat after the first heat cycle actually increases the risk of mammary cancers developing later in life. Spaying prior to the first heat cycle is the most current recommendation.

Myth #5: Watching a pet give birth is a healthy experience for a child.

 Many people feel that their children will benefit from watching the miracle of an animal giving birth. What these people fail to take into account is that whelping or queening carries some degree of risk for the female dog or cat. While a young child might benefit from watching a successful birthing which takes place without complication, that same child might be incredibly traumatized by watching a puppy or kitten be born deformed or dead. Worse yet, should complications arise that take the life of the female pet, the child would then lose a cherished companion.

Myth #6: A female pet will become aggressive after being spayed.

 Female dogs and cats do not become aggressive because they have been spayed. Changes in temperament and disposition are rarely due to being spayed and when there are changes in temperament as a result of being spayed, these changes are much more likely to be positive changes.

Myth #7: My dog is a purebred so it's OK if I breed.

The fact is that 25 percent of all animals found in a shelter are AKC or UKC purebreds. Know what that means? NOT MUCH! Those letters just mean they belong to a club and are registered to it. There is no guarantee of quality.

Myth #8: My pet is a male; It won’t have any litters.

These animals are a very big part of the pet overpopulation problem since they escape and breed with females in heat. They roam more, are more aggressive, and create many litters for someone else to raise.

Myth #9: It costs too much.

 It will cost you a lot more to care for the litters created by your pet! If you have a litter and take proper care of it your cost factors are much more than a spay/neuter procedure would ever be. It will also cost less than the vet bills incurred from your male running after the female in heat up the road, and getting injured by a car. There are programs for assistance for those who cannot afford to get the procedure done

Myth #10: Spaying & neutering is painful for the pet.

Surgery is performed under anesthesia and animals are usually back on their feet into normal activities within 24 to 72 hours. This slight discomfort is not harmful and prevents the suffering and death of hundreds of unwanted animals that could be born if you do not spay/neuter your pet.

Myth #11: If I neuter my male, he won't be as protective.

Most pets will actually be easier to train for tasks such as companion or protection since they will have stabilized hormones.   Altered animals are loyal to their owners and often will have reduced desires to wander, mark territory or fight with other animals.

Myth #12: Only females need to be fixed, it's not my responsibility.

As we all know it takes two to tango. The female may end up with the litter, but it's just as much his doing as hers.

Corky and Fly are now home waiting for their next adventure with Pinellas County Animal Services.  If you wish to hear more of Corky and Fly’s Adventures with Pinellas County Animal Services Shelter, please let us hear from you. They are planning a trip to Ft. DeSoto Beach soon and will want to share all the dog conversation that will be going on at the beach. Hey Fly, can you run and get a ball out of the water faster than me? We’ll see…………

For more information, visit Pinellas County Animal Services’ web page at www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/volunteer.htm  or call (727) 582-2600.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services include adoptions. Rabies vaccinations are administered on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The facility is closed all Pinellas County holidays.

For information on how to adopt, donate or volunteer, join Pinellas County Animal Services on Facebook. To learn more about the shelter, visit www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices, or call (727) 582-2600. The lost or found pets hotline is (727) 582-2604.

For more information about Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.