You’d make Bob Barker so proud…
Dear Fisher,
Cat to cat, I need help. Spring has sprung and I am about to be unsprung. There is talk around here that I need to have an operation. I think it is called something like neutering.
Do you believe that I will be affected to the point of becoming less of a cat and that my attractiveness will be compromised by this procedure? I must admit to being a very vain cat and all things considered what are my options here?
Cory
Dear Cory,
Vanity is one of the most universal cat personality traits. After all, so many of your ancestors were gods and goddesses, creatures honored among kings and serfs alike. You are, for all practical purposes, dignified and regal.
The phrase, “Spring is in the Air” is almost synonymous with the phrase, “Love is in the Air”. The combination of your youthful age and the onset of springtime has probably propelled your people into thinking action is required. With medical modernization, changes in attitude regarding spay/neuter of animals is really in your favor.
Susan Little, DVM, explained in her article “Early Spay/Neuter in the Cat”, for the Winn Feline Foundation, “Early age altering refers to spays and neuters done between the age of 6 and 14 weeks. Altering pets between 5 and 7 months of age was established by tradition rather than for any specific medical reason. Years ago, when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting until a patient was older increased the safety of surgery. But we no longer need to delay altering for this reason.”
Dr. Smith aptly states, “While surgical sterilization remains the most effective means of population control, delaying the surgery long enough for sexual maturity to occur defeats the purpose.” In other words, bad habits like spraying and early morning wailing may have already formed.
The American Humane Association endorses early neutering as a “feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths.” The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the concept of early neutering. Many other animal rescue organizations are working vigorously to get the word out to all pet people.
Right here in the Tampa Bay area, SPOT, Stop Pet Overpopulation Together is continually working to solve this problem. Do you know that one cat or dog and their offspring can produce over 500 cats and dogs in one year? Wow, that is a lot of fur! But more importantly, it is a lot of homes to find, shelters to fund, and tears shed.
Now that you have some of the background, let us consider your options. SPOT recognizes some very neat behavioral and personality changes as a result of spay/neutering of pets:
•No more trying to escape to find a mate – make the ladies think you are playing hard to get
•No more fighting with other male cats – become a SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy)
•No more howling all night – a “Yo Dawg!” from Randy, Paula will think you are adorable, and how about a thumbs up from Simon Cowell!
•No more spraying on the furniture – Hello fresh air!
•No need to mark your territory – much less worry and work, and much more time to nap
•No more paternity suits due to accidental litters! Peace in the neighborhood!
You and your humans must sign up, even if it does mean a little temporary discomfort to you. It is humane. You will survive. And, when you walk proudly among the enlightened, you WILL be admired.
Your friend,
Fisher
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