Today is Spay Day USA, which is a day set aside to advocate the benefits of spaying and neutering our pets.  After researching why pet owners should spay and neuter their pets, I’ve created a cumulative list of what I think are the top 10 reasons:

1. Your pet will live a longer, healthier life.
2. Cuts down the risk of certain cancers.
3. Promotes better behavior.
4. Relieves stress which can by brought on by pregnancy and nursing.
5. Prevents urinary tract infections, particularly in cats.
6. Helps fight overpopulation.
7. Your pet, especially males, will be less likely to roam.
8. Eliminates the female menstrual cycle.
9. It’s good for the community.
10. It’s highly cost effective.

In honor of this day, the Escondido Humane Society is offering discounted spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats every Thursday and Friday in February.  And they invited me to document the spay/neuter procedure to give you a better understanding of how it works.  Going into this shoot, I was expecting a bit of gore, but it actually turned out to be quite interesting and very humane.  The surgical staff was very knowledgable and efficient, making sure every pet was comfortable and treated with care.

Here’s a quick overview of the procedure:

• Check vital signs
• Give anesthesia
• Clean and shave surgery area
• Move to surgical table
• perform surgery
• stitch up wound
• the pet sleeps until anesthesia wears off
• sent home

So, if you haven’t already, be sure to spay or neuter your pet.  Life will be better for both of you!