Homeless dog overpopulation is no doubt a national concern and as heartbreaking as it is, this issue is often overlooked. While there are many kind-hearted dog lovers out there who go above and beyond to help these homeless dogs, there are still many people who are unaware of their plight and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
(Photo via Great Plains SPCA)
(Photo via The Humane Society of Greenwood)
When homeless dogs are neglected, not spayed or neutered, and left to fend for themselves on the streets, this can easily explain the issue of overpopulation. They reproduce at an alarming rate, with a single unneutered female and her offspring potentially producing over 67,000 puppies in just six years.
This overwhelming rate of reproduction makes it difficult for humans to control the homeless dog population, and shelters often struggle to accommodate more dogs when they are already at their full capacity.
What is spaying and neutering?
In simple terms, spaying refers to the removal of a female dog's reproductive organs including her uterus and ovaries. Neutering, on the other hand, involves the removal of a male dog’s testicles. Spaying and neutering stop breeding instincts by influencing the way a dog acts through sex hormones.
Benefits of spaying and neutering homeless dogs
There are many benefits to spaying and neutering homeless dogs. Firstly, it can drastically reduce the number of puppies being born to struggle on the streets. The key is to tackle the problem before it begins. For example, a spayed female dog will not go into heat while a neutered male dog will have less desire to roam. Through this, the chances of female dogs getting pregnant already lessen.
Other benefits of neutering include:
Reduces the risks of spraying and marking to attract female dogs.
Less desire to roam, hence less likely to get into car accidents
Reducing the risks of testicular cancer
Decreases aggressive behaviours such as fighting with other dogs
A longer and healthier life expectancy
Other benefits of spaying include:
Reducing the risks of uterine infections and breast cancer
Less desire to wander away just like its male counterparts
Preventing accidental pregnancies
A longer and healthier life expectancy
(Photo via Shutterstock)
Most importantly, spaying and neutering is cost-effective in the long run because the surgery is much cheaper than the cost of caring for a litter — especially when most shelters are dealing with homeless overpopulation and staffing shortages.
If you would like to help reduce the number of homeless dogs on the streets in Malaysia, in addition to adopting from a shelter, you can also spay or neuter your dog.. It is the best thing you can do to help with the issue of overpopulation.
And if you think the number of homeless dogs in your neighbourhood is alarming, let’s make a difference together by sending them to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered. Alternatively, you can donate to local spay and neuter programs. Most local shelters have this program, so you can give them a call to inquire if you are not sure how to catch a homeless dog. Well, better late than never, let’s start now!
As dog lovers, our heart is always heavy whenever we see homeless dogs struggling to fend for themselves at the side of the road. The feeling is even worse when we feel like we cannot do anything about it. :( Hence, we have to become THE change by starting to spay or neuter homeless dogs whenever possible to put a halt to stray overpopulation!
Of course, if there is anything you would like to share with us, please feel free to send us a message on Instagram or you can email us at myforeverdoggo@gmail.com.
You should also read our article called What to Do When Your Dog is on Her Period (In Heat) to learn more about what you can do to comfort your furbaby when they are going through this uncomfortable situation.
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