Animal Guardians of Brevard “For the Love of Animals” A 501(c)3 charitable organization Presents Animal Overpopulation The Case for Responsible Pet Guardianship and the Role of Spaying and Neutering

MISSION STATEMENT To promote responsible, lifetime pet guardianship through education, counseling, and accessible, affordable sterilization. To increase awareness of companion animal overpopulation and promote or participate in activities that will improve the well-being of homeless, neglected, abandoned, and unwanted animals.

Founded in 2002 Sterilized over 5000 cats and dogs Facilitated thousands of adoptions and transfers Who We Are Assisted local shelter programs, and provided donations, improvements, and more 2006 Jefferson Award for Public Service

Did You Know??? Every year around 20,000 cats and dogs enter Brevard County shelters and rescues. More than half are euthanized (killed) Most are healthy and well-tempered, or treatable Overwhelmed shelters lack space, funds “No-Kill” is a myth

Did You Know??? Over 25 million cats and dogs are born in the U.S. each year, 7 for every 1 human 8-12 million enter shelters 50-70% are euthanized in the country and locally Euthanasia is the Number One Cause of Death for Cats and Dogs in the U.S.

Four to Eight MILLION cats and dogs are euthanized every year in the U.S. What message does that give to our children about the value of life?

Did You Know??? Millions are abandoned or born as strays Many live miserably and die prematurely ( accidents, starvation, disease, and cruelty) The costs of trying to manage animal overpopulation may be 2 billion dollars per year nationwide

How can there be SO MANY homeless dogs and cats???

The Solution is Responsible Pet Guardianship The main causes of animal overpopulation are people who do not spay and neuter pets, or people who casually “get rid” of them There are two parts to the solution for pet overpopulation –Preventing unwanted births (Don’t “litter”) –Keeping pets for life

What do “Spay” and “Neuter” Really Mean? “Spaying” is the removal of the ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy - OVH) “Neutering” is removal of the testicles (orchiectomy, castration) Other terms include “sterilization,” “fixing,” and “altering”

Commonly performed operations Well-tolerated by cats and dogs Performed under general anesthesia Most pets go home the same day

Animals have no psychological drive to reproduce and sterilization is: Good for the pet, Good for the guardian, and Good for the community.

Eliminates or reduces infections and cancers of the reproductive system Reduces the drive and consequences of roaming, running away, and fighting Decreases the chance of injury, poisoning, traffic accidents, and cruelty Pets live longer, healthier lives Spaying and Neutering is good for your Pet because it:

Spaying and Neutering is good for the Guardian because it: Makes pets better companions Makes pets less temperamental Eliminates the heat cycle Diminishes spraying and territorial / sexual aggression Sterilization is a one-time expense with benefits that far outweigh the costs

Spaying and Neutering is good for the Community by: Decreasing animal shelter overcrowding Decreasing euthanasia rates Diminishing public health threats (dog bites, attacks, disease, etc.) Decreasing traffic hazards (animals and bodies on roads and highways) Preventing “nuisances” (stray and homeless animals frighten and anger people who do not understand their needs and misery)

Decreasing homeless animals also helps our community because: Brevard County’s budget for Animal Services has averaged about $3.5 Million annually Most expenditures are directly or indirectly related to controlling unwanted animals The average cost to shelter an animal is over $100 (regardless of outcome)

Myths and Facts about Spaying and Neutering Myth:An animal should be at least 6 months old before sterilization Fact:Early age sterilization (2 months / 2 lbs) is encouraged and endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association Myth:A female should go through heat or have a litter before being spayed Fact:NO medical evidence supports this and waiting may increase risk

Myth:Males don't need to be neutered because they don't have the babies Fact:Females AND males make babies and a single male can impregnate several females Myth:Sterilization will make a pet fat and lazy Fact:Overfeeding and lack of exercise cause obesity Myth:Homes can be found for the kittens/puppies Fact:This takes homes from desperate shelter animals who may never get homes

Myth:Neutering will make a dog less "masculine” or protective Fact:Less aggressive, yes. Less "masculine," no. Myth: Spaying and neutering is too expensive Fact: There are low cost clinics and financial assistance Myth:Children should see the miracle of birth Fact: They should prevent the tragedy of death by looking at a movie or book

What About “Community Cats?” AKA Ferals and Strays These cats live outdoors Most feral cats are killed in shelters because they are not tame and adoptable The ONLY method of population control that works is TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Populations in managed (TNR) colonies remain stable or even decline with attrition

Euthanasia is meant to end suffering, not to control the population of homeless animals

Local Low – Cost Spay and Neuter Clinics Florida Aid to Animals - Melbourne Brevard Aid to Animals - Melbourne SPCA of North Brevard - Titusville Central Brevard Humane Society Cocoa Brevard Community Animal Hosp Melbourne

Financial Aid Resources Animal Guardians of Brevard B revard County Animal Services

Keeping Pets for Life Pets are not disposable Pet adoption is a lifetime commitment

Choose the right pet Age: Youngsters vs. Adults Size and Breed Your Time and Space Training is recommended Know the lifetime costs Bonding is crucial

Always adopt from shelters or rescue groups Up to 25% of the animals in shelters are purebred Mixed-breeds may be healthier Buying a pet adds to overpopulation encourages breeders takes homes from shelter pets at risk

Pets featured in this presentation are or were recently available locally for adoption and can be seen at

Proper Pet Care Spay and neuter every pet before puberty Regular vet care for cats and dogs Keep pets safe (pet-proof the home) Keep pets indoors and obey leash laws Properly identify pets (tag, microchip) Less than 10% of lost pets ever get home

Avoid Relinquishing Pets The most common excuses for relinquishing pets include: Moving Landlord issues Behavior problems Allergies New baby Too many animals Can’t afford food, care, etc.

Other excuses for throwing away companion animals include: Too big, too small Too old, too young Too noisy, too quiet Too playful, too lazy Gets on the bed, doesn't get on the bed Doesn't match the furniture, Just don't want ‘It’’ anymore etc. etc. etc. Never abandon a pet

Volunteer, Donate, Raise funds Consider a career in veterinary medicine, animal advocacy, animal rights law Support the Florida Animal Friend License Fund ( Funds low- and no-cost sterilization programs) How you can help

Saving one pet won’t change the world but the world will surely change for that one pet

No One Can Do Everything, but Everyone Can Do Something

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb? Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb? Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code. Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp! Rottweiler: Make me. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!! Puleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Malamute: Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy. Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture. Old English Sheepdog: "Light bulb? I don’t see a light bulb.” Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry. Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch. Pointer: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there.... Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares? Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle.... Cat: Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So the question is: how long will it be before I can expect some light … and who needs light anyway?