As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. Shelters in the United States accept 8 to 12 million animals each year. About 30 to 60 percent of all animals brought in to shelters in the United States are euthanized. Give new pet owners gift certificates to have their pet spayed or neutered. Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen of an animal.
Neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles of a pet.
Neutering is the primary method of sterilizing male pets. It is as important to neuter male pets as it is to spay female pets, even though male pets don't give birth. While a female dog or cat can have only one litter at a time, male animals can impregnate many females each day. Veterinarians perform spay and neuter surgeries under general anesthetic. Animals usually return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours.