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sterilization at six to eight months of age.s.a.a.s However, a recent 2004 study indicated that female dogs who underwent pediatric sterilization experienced an increased rate of urinary incontinence. Therefore, delaying spaying until at least 3 months of age may be beneficial for female dogs. Why Pet Owners Fail to Sterilize Pets The State of the American Pet Study6 found that 34% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners had not had their pet spayed or neutered. The most common reason given by both dog owners (30%) and cat owners (27%) is that they have simply not bothered to do it yet. Other reasons given by dog owners included wanting to breed their dog (21 %) and the dog being too young (13%). The study also found that approximately a quarter (27%) of respondents who did not spay/neuter their animal reported that cost was a factor in their decision. Of those who reported that cost was a factor, about half would spay/neuter their dog at a cost of $45 dollars, and about four out of five would spay/neuter their dog at a cost of $20. Why Pet Owners Fail to Sterilize Pets: Cats According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA),'the majority of pet cats were obtained from afriend/relative (43%) followed by as a stray (34%), as a kitten of an owned cat (15%) and from an animal shelter/humane society (15%). Although sterilization of pet cats is high, 86%, according to the APPMA, large numbers of owned cats have litters before they are sterilized. A Massachusetts SPCA (MSPCA) study8 reported 87% of owned cats were already altered, but 20% have a litter prior to being akered. A Las Vegas study from Kansas State University9 found 86% of owned female cats were spayed, but that 16% of the unspayed females reproduced. A Santa Clara County survey10 found 86% of owned cats were altered, but concluded 16% of female cats have a litter prior to being altered. Cats may have litters prior to sterilization because (1) the owner couldn't afford to sterilize their pet, (2) the owner thought their cat was too young to get pregnant, (3) the owner didn't get around to it, (4) an indoor cat escaped or (5) the cat was still nursing. Clients should be encouraged to schedule their pets' spay or neuter surgery while they are at the clinic for their pet's final examination. Other reasons given by cat owners includg the cat being too young (20%) and not being able to afford it (18%). And yet, 56°~ of dog owners and 63% of cat owners ranked reducing the pet overpopulation problem was, by far, the issue most important to them. Why Pet Owners Fail to Sterilize Pets: Dogs 2