Show Your Love & Fix Your Pet

By Taylor Mundy

Beginning way back in 1979 and continuing for the next three decades, Bob Barker, host of the Price is Right, finished each episode with his mantra message:

“This is Bob Barber reminding you to help control the pet population – have your pets spayed or neutered.”

Bob’s voice is one among thousands who have helped create a humane movement to reduce the numbers of homeless animals and help save lives.  Spaying/neutering is one of the most important things you can do for your pet, your family and your community.

Here are just a few of the many benefits:

  1. Your pet will live a longer, healthier and happier life. Studies show that, on average, the lifespan for spayed/neutered pets increases by 1-3 years for dogs and 3-5 years for cats.
  2. Your pet will have less unwanted behaviour.  Unfixed dogs and cats are much more assertive and prone to urine-marking and spraying.  They are more likely to roam, howl, and display unwanted behaviours including aggression.
  3. You will save money in the long run.  Spaying/neutering helps to avoid expensive serious health problems in the future. It is much less than the cost of having a litter of new mouths to feed and care for.
  4. You will help save lives. Pet overpopulation is a direct outcome of unplanned, unwanted litters that could have been prevented by spaying/neutering.

If you have been wanting to get a dog or cat fixed but the price-tag has stopped you, we may have a program to help!

  • Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program – We operate three animal hospitals and clinics that are available to low-income families for subsidized spay/neuter surgeries. This program makes the service affordable and accessible to help pet owners keep their pets with them long term, reducing unwanted behaviours and an overall happier and healthier pet and owner.  Find the location closest to you and apply here.
  • Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUP) Program – Accidents happen! If you unexpectedly find yourself with many new sets of tiny paws in the house and don’t know what to do, contact us right away.  We will fix your female dog or cat for free AND fully vet and find loving families for the puppies or kittens.  Apply here.
  • Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Program – This program is for feral (wild) cats in the community. Feral cats are fixed and returned to their local colony to reduce the cycle of unwanted breeding and the number of stray and abandoned animals.  Young kittens and friendly cats are socialized and find loving families.  Report a Cat Colony here.

 

Reducing pet overpopulation begins with you, so please ‘spay it forward.’ On February 20th, World Spay Day, help us celebrate and shine a spotlight on the importance of fixing companion animals and feral cats.  The price is still right, Bob Barker.

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.