Fact Veterinarians perform spay and neuter surgeries under a general anesthetic. Animals usually return to normal activity after 24 to 72 hours. Any discomfort is minimal. Altering animals also eliminates the risk of certain diseases such as mammary and testicular cancer.

Myth Spaying and neutering is expensive.

Fact While prices vary considerably, many human societies and municipal animalcontrol departments offer low-cost spay/neuter services. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPC'A) of Pinellas County offers a Friends of Family Pets Spay/Neuter Program, which provides free alterations for qualified pet owners on limited incomes. Spay and neuter surgeries are a real bargain when compared with the cost of raising a litter of puppies or kittens. Spaying and neutering also saves taxpayer dollars. On average, it costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed, and eventually kill a homeless animal.

Despite our best efforts, Pinellas County's homeless animal population is growing. When we consider the fact that one female cat and her offspring, left to breed indiscriminately, can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years, and one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs

The Friends of Family Pets Program is available year round and is funded solely by donations. The FFP Program provided services to 565 pets last year and continues to make a major contribution toward reducing pet overpopulation in Pinellas County. Pet owners on a limited income should call the SPCA at 586-3591 to determine eligibility.

2. 6 -12 puppies per litter for larger breeds, 4 - 8 for smaller breeds

· In Pinellas County alone, approximately 40,000 animals are abandoned annually and end up in shelters like the SPCA of Pinellas County.

in just 6 years, we begin to see the impact our un-neutered pets can have on the pet overpopulation problem.

4. Gestation period for dogs is 58 - 71 days.

3. Gestation period for cats is 58 - 70 days.

2. Cat can produce first litter at age 4 -10 months.

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Approximate Word count = 837
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)