Editorial:

Prevent unwanted animals by spaying and neutering pets

Posted 2/11/20

Three years is a long time to wait. For some cats at the City of Powell/Moyer Animal Shelter, they’ve waited for a home since 2017. Three years — or more than 1,000 days — is an …

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Editorial:

Prevent unwanted animals by spaying and neutering pets

Posted

Three years is a long time to wait. For some cats at the City of Powell/Moyer Animal Shelter, they’ve waited for a home since 2017. Three years — or more than 1,000 days — is an especially long time in a cat’s short lifespan.

We hope that these local felines can find a forever home soon, and we’re thankful that shelter staff and volunteers have faithfully cared for them for so long. But to prevent situations like this in the future, it’s important to spay and neuter animals. If it’s a task you’ve been putting off, there’s no better time to make that appointment, as local veterinarians are offering discounts. Throughout February, the City of Powell, local vets and advertisers are partnering to offer spay/neuter and vaccination clinics with a 20% discount. Locally, participating offices include Big Horn Animal Care Center, Powell Veterinary Services, Red Barn Veterinary Services and Heart Mountain Animal Health.

The local effort coincides with the National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, observed in February. In the United States alone, more than 6 million homeless animals end up in shelters every year. Of those, roughly half are adopted and “tragically, the rest are euthanized,” said The Humane Society. “These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions.”

We’re thankful for the no-kill shelters in Powell and Cody — as well as Wyoming-based organizations like 3 Dog Rescue and Dog Is My CoPilot — that work tirelessly to ensure pets have the chance to find a good home.

But local nonprofits’ resources are stretched thin and overcrowding can become an issue in shelters — especially when some animals must wait years to finally be adopted. That’s why it’s up to residents to help prevent unwanted dogs and cats in the first place.

Not only does spaying/neutering help reduce the number of homeless animals, it also can help your pet’s health and even increase their lifespan. Research has shown neutered male dogs live 18% longer than their un-neutered counterparts. For spayed female dogs, life expectancy is 23% longer.

“Part of the reduced lifespan of unaltered pets can be attributed to their increased urge to roam, exposing them to fights with other animals, getting struck by cars and other mishaps,” The Humane Society says.

If you’re aware of feral cats or strays that no one has claimed, the City of Powell Animal Shelter is asking local residents to help with spaying and neutering costs if they can afford it. The Powell Police Department has a live trap that can be loaned to local residents.

On these wintry days, it’s difficult to think about abandoned cats and dogs out in the cold or in a shelter waiting for a home. If you can adopt a pet — and ensure that you’re able to care for it throughout its lifetime — consider bringing one of these local animals home . Dogs and cats can truly enrich our lives when given a second chance.

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