I hope Shakespeare will forgive me when I have the temerity to borrow one of his famous lines and turn it on its head. In 'Julius Caesar', Marc Antony describes Brutus' stabbing of Caesar as "the unkindest cut of all."  As we are promoting the spaying and neutering of companion animals, I've begun to refer to the surgical procedure as "the kindest cut of all."

Every year in the United States, approximately 50 dogs and cats are born for every person. And each year, millions of healthy dogs and cats are killed because there are not enough homes for them all. These animals include purebred puppies and cats, unplanned litters, and strays. But things don't have to be this way. The simplest solution is to prevent companion animals reproducing in the first place.

Concerns that spay/neuter interferes with nature is one of the most popular reasons for not altering a companion animal. Unfortunately, humans began interfering long before they understood the effects that such changes would have on today's companion animal populations. As a result of removing natural predators, improving health care and increasing nutrition, our companion animal populations have grown beyond our control. Now, more than ever, we must assume responsibility for combating this situation. Nothing is less natural than the euthanasia of perfectly healthy animals. Humanely altering our pets is the best alternative to the suffering of unwanted animals.

Besides preventing the births of millions of dogs and cats, the health and behavior benefits of spaying and neutering companion animals are incontestable. Spaying removes a female dog or cat's reproductive organs, thus eliminating the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. Spaying also reduces the risk that the female will develop mammary cancer, especially if the procedure is carried out before her first heat cycle. Neutering removes a male dog or cat's testicles, eliminating the possibility of testicular cancer and diminishing the occurrence of prostate problems. Not only do pets live longer, healthier lives, but ailments that are expensive and difficult to treat are curtailed.

Among the leading causes for pet abandonment or relinquishment to shelters are behavioral problems - roaming, aggression, marking, and spraying. Many of these behaviors are reduced or eradicated by spay/neuter, and altered pets are generally calmer and gentler than their unaltered counterparts. Spay/neuter can also save taxpayers millions of dollars each year as the burden on local shelters and animal control agencies is lessened.

Spaying and neutering is the most effective method of controlling companion animal overpopulation. It's the responsible thing to do, and the kindest.

Sincerely,

Daniel T. Craig

President

Reprinted with permission of the San Francisco SPCA.

 

The following article was written by our Founder Dottie Reynolds:   

BEST FRIENDS NEED HOMES

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.  You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

ANONYMOUS

    Who wants a home at your house?  One (or two) of the cats and dogs at the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility located at 321 Hay Road in Manahawkin.

    Waiting longingly in their cages and runs, each day they hope to be one of the chosen pets who will find a caring home.  Many shelter pets are beautiful purebreds, given up by sorrowful owners who can no longer keep them.  Most of the shelter animals are spayed or neutered.  They can be micro chipped at the shelter for a nominal fee, providing permanent identification.

    At the shelter you will have the opportunity to visit with your potential pet.  If you choose an adult, you will know that "what you see is what you get."  To give a pet as a gift, present an IOU to someone to select the pet of their choice.  Always select an animal that is the size and disposition for your home and lifestyle, so that you can provide a suitable home for your faithful friend and partner.  Be worthy of the devotion your pet will give you.

    If you prefer to purchase a dog, remember that pet shops obtain their animals from "puppy mills", where animals live in dismal, unhealthy conditions. Responsible breeding is a complicated process, for professional breeders, to ensure that genetic defects and serious health problems do not occur.

    Cute as they may look, purchasing from a pet shop creates a demand for more puppy mill puppies.

    An estimated 8 to 10 million dogs and cats are accepted in animal shelters each year.  About half of those are euthanized because there are not enough homes for all the surrendered and abandoned animals.

    You can make a difference by adopting your pet from a shelter.

    The Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter volunteer at the shelter and collect funds to aid in the shelter spay and neuter program called "A Stitch in Time" and care for animals with specials needs (the Pegasus Fund).

    Pegasus, an 8 month old Doberman puppy who suffered a broken leg, probably during birth, is recovering at the shelter.  His disability was discovered after he was given to the shelter, too lake to save the leg.  The Friends paid for the amputation and Pegasus is looking forward to going to his new home.

    Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter can be reached by writing to P. O. Box 1162, Manahawkin, N.J.  08050.

    To visit the shelter, take Route 72 to Recovery Road, then turn right on Hay Road. The driveway to the shelter is just past and across the road from the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.

    The shelter is open from 1-4 p.m. every day of the week except Christmas and New Year's Day.

    Make life happy for a homeless animal.  If the right pet has been selected, a wonderful companion will add comfort and joy to the home it enters.  If could be yours.

Submitted to the Beach Haven Times by:

Dorothy Reynolds, President

The following article was written by our Founder Dottie Reynolds:

December 5, 2004

Letter to the Editor:

You won't see Fuzzy on one of the TV makeover shows, but she is one happy female.  Her floppy ears and teeth were already perfect.  Her makeover was completed by a day at the Stafford Veterinary Hospital "Spa" where her blond hair had a new "do",  followed by a pedicure.

Fuzzy has come a long way from the streets of Plumsted where she was picked up as a stray.  She spent about six weeks in the Northern Ocean County Animal Shelter in Jackson, hoping someone would want to take her home.  Then she was transferred to the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter in Manahawkin, where she waited another month, longing for a home.

Recognizing her potential as a great family pet, Trish McCallum, supervising attendant of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter, recommended her for the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association puppy makeover program.

Fuzzy was off to the Stafford Veterinary Hospital for her complete makeover.  Following a few weeks of test and attention and etiquette training by Stafford Animal Hospital veterinarians and technicians, Fuzzy returned to the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter, a perfect lady, ready to become a wonderful family pet.

Thank you to Stafford Veterinary Hospital for their Doggy makeover.  Thank you to the Karter Larson family in Barnegat Light, who adopted Fuzzy as one of their family pets and ended her days of waiting longingly for a good home.  Perhaps there will be more shelter dog makeovers and happy endings.

You could add a warm and fuzzy someone to your household.  There are lots of lovable dogs and cats of all sizes and ages, often purebred, waiting for homes at the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter.  The Shelter is open 7 days a week at 321 Hay Road, Manahawkin (609) 987-0127.  Take Route 72 to Recovery Road, pass the recycling center, Turn on Hay Road and pass the motor vehicle inspection station.  The animal shelter is down the road opposite the inspection station.

Thanks from the Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter.

Submitted to the Sandpaper by: 

Dottie Reynolds, President