Today is World Spay Day

Photo: Filepic

A WEEK ago, a man dropped off a cardboard box containing a cat and three kittens at my animal hospital and drove off. I have seen such a heartless act many times in my 40-year career as a veterinarian. It saddens me that some people treat this hospital as a dumping ground for pets they no longer want. To date, we have taken care of hundreds of cats and dogs that were either strays or abandoned.

Under Malaysia’s Animal Welfare Act 2015, abandoning a pet is a crime; upon conviction, an offender is liable to be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or be imprisoned for a term of not more than three years, or both.

Why does dumping happen, and why are animals allowed to stray? There are all the usual excuses, of course, such as moving house, allergies, no time, financial issues, can’t handle the pet’s behavioural problems, etc. But one thing owners might not realise when they first get a pet is that dogs and cats can multiply quickly! And it is the unexpected kittens and puppies that often get dumped or abandoned.

Did you know that in three years, one unspayed female and one unneutered male can produce more than 500 dogs and almost 400 cats? Many people don’t know that cats can go into heat and get pregnant at just four months old, dogs at five months. And they can successfully mate with siblings and parents.

In conjunction with World Spay Day today, I would like to create more awareness about the importance of spaying or neutering pets and strays. Created by the Doris Day Animal League in 1995 in the United States, World Spay Day is currently recognised by 70 countries as a means to control pet overpopulation and decrease the number of homeless and euthanised animals.

Spaying is the procedure of removing the ovaries and uterus in females while neutering is the removal of testicles in males. These veterinary procedures are performed under general anaesthesia and usually require minimal hospitalisation.

Spaying a female cat or dog before they go into heat helps prevent uterine infections and mammary gland tumours, which are fatal in about 50% of female dogs and 90% in cats and also help prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus). And neutering males before they are six months old prevents testicular cancer and prostate disorders.

Fixing pets also helps with other health issues that arise from mating or fighting with strays. Contrary to popular belief, animals do not become overweight after spaying or neutering. In fact, the animal’s lifespan is increased by three to five years.

The following are other benefits of spaying or neutering:

> Neutered male cats are less likely to spray smelly urine around the home and garden.

> Female cats usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. During this time, they will yowl and urinate more frequently. With female dogs, owners have to deal with a bloody discharge for about a week, about once every six months.

> Male dogs can smell a female in heat from far away and an intact male will do just about anything to find a mate. A neutered male is less likely to roam so there’s less risk of injury in traffic and from fights with other males.

> Generally, neutered animals make better pets. They show less aggression and can be more affectionate. Intact pets, on the other hand, are more likely to run away, get into fights with competing animals, and bite.

> The cost of neutering is a lot less than caring for a litter. Their care takes time, effort and money.

Every year, millions of dogs and cats of all ages and breeds are euthanised or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by neutering.

If you don’t want to live with generations of furry kids or feel guilty because you have to abandon unexpected litters, then fix your pets. The best time to do so would be when they are about four to six months old, or before the first heat for female dogs and cats, to prevent accidental litters. So please take your pets to the nearest animal clinic for a consultation on the procedure.

If you are one of those good- hearted souls who melts at the sight of a stray animal, you can help by sponsoring spaying or neutering procedures.

Together, let’s decrease the number of stray animals in Malaysia. Together, let’s be responsible and compassionate humans who care about the voiceless.

DR MANIKAM KUMARASAMY

Veterinary surgeon

Batu Caves, Selangor