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~~~~~'~r <br />~~~'~,. THE HUMANE SOCIETY <br />OF THE UNITED STATES <br />Overcoming Pet Over-Population <br />The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that 3 to 4 million dogs and <br />cats are euthanized for many reasons (illness, injury, temperament, lads of space, owner <br />request, etc.) in shelters every year. Whatever the reason, the need exists to get a <br />handle on pet overpopulation. Assisting people who have low incomes, are homebound, <br />or who are caretakers of feral cats is needed as well as changing perceptions about <br />pediatric spay/neuter, Trap-Neuter-Retum, and the value of pets. <br />An estimated 12.4 million spay/neuter surgeries are performed in the U.S. annually.' <br />Approximately 17°~, or 2.1 M, are provided by non-profits or veterinarians as subsidized <br />or "low-cost". At an estimated $50 subsidy each, that's a cost of $106 million a year.' It is <br />highly likely that at least $25 per surgery (eventually far greater) could be saved through <br />non-surgical methods, saving non-profits. $53 million per year and alkwving them to <br />dramatically expand their outreach to keep pets in their homes with other strategies (for <br />example, providing resources to help people resolve pet behavior problems, find pet- <br />friendy rental housing, deal with allergies to pets, etc.).' <br />Pediatric Spay Neuter <br />Sterilizing pets before they have even one litter will reduce the numbers of animals and <br />their offspring -currently and potentially -living on the streets, being cared for in <br />shelters and being euthanized by animal shelters and veterinarians. The costs <br />associated with pediatric sterilization, to prevent the birth of more puppies and kittens <br />when a surplus already exists, makes sense both from an animal welfare and economic <br />viewpoint. <br />Early age sterilization has been performed in animal shelters for more than 25 years on <br />puppies and kittens as young as 2 months of age or who weigh a minimum of 2 pounds. <br />Research has shown that spaying before the first heat prevents the development of <br />mammary gland tumors, however, no conclusive, controlled studies have been done to <br />determine the best age to sterilize dogs and cats nor have studies been conducted on <br />the long term effects of sterilizing at six months of age. The age was likely chosen <br />arbitrariy. <br />Studies of pediatric spay neuter have shown that there are no behavioral differences, <br />changes in growth or any risk of future medical problems when compared to traditional <br />