1. SPAYING OR NEUTERING: A SOLUTION TO PREVENT CATS/DOGS OVERPOPULATION Created by Thi Megan Nguyen GS Cadette Troop 61067

2. The Problem?  Each day 10,000 humans are born in the US – each day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born.  With these numbers, the result ends up with many pets being euthanized (putting a pet to sleep humanely) or become homeless. The Solution? Spay and Neutering! Source: http://www.catsnap.org/spay.htm

3. Cat Population Growth 1 female cat x 3 litters x 6 kittens = 18 kittens 2 adult cats (male and female) + 18 kittens = 20 cats in the first year

4. Spaying and Neutering  Spaying and neutering is a process where a pet, female or male, goes through a surgical process that removes his or hers reproductive parts and does not allow them to reproduce. I visited the San Jose Animal Care Center on 2/20/14 to watch the surgeries that were taken place that day. Presented above are pictures of the operating rooms. *Spaying is the term used for females and neutering is the term used for males.

5. Benefits of Spaying or Neutering  Prevent females from going into heat  Lower male pets’ testosterone level  Have less blood when done at a young age  Prevent overpopulation of stray animals  Save lives (prevents unwanted litters)  Reduces risk of diseases and cancers by 98%  Diminish bad behavior Sorry, not interested!

6. Commonly Asked Questions From Pet Owners  Will spaying or neutering my pet hurt him/her?  When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?  Is spaying and neutering expensive?

7. Will spaying or neutering hurt my pet?  No, spaying and neutering will not hurt your pet in any way.  During the surgical process, the pet is put into a deep sleep using anesthetic. This way, he or she will not be aware of the operation being done.

8. When should I spay/neuter my pet?  It is better for spaying or neutering to be done at a young age because:  There is less blood  The “wound” heals faster Spaying and neutering also helps reduce the risk of cancer by 98%.

9. HOW CAN YOU HELP?  If you have pets, spaying or neutering them can help save lives of many pets and reduce the amount of strays living on the streets. Places for spaying or neutering in San Jose:  San Jose Animal Care Center  San Jose Animal Hospital  San Jose Animal Spay-Neuter Clinic  Etc…

10. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD! THANK YOU!