In our society, spaying and neutering of pets is a large part of the
effort to control pet over-population which burdens the nation's animal
shelters, resulting in the deliberate killing of millions of dogs and cats
each year. Surgical sterilization is a convenient, permanent method to
prevent reproduction, and brings additional health benefits to the neutered
pet as well (things like cancer prevention, better behavior, and increased
lifespan.)
The pet over-population issue affects the public health, safety, and
economy as well as the welfare of the animals themselves. For this reason
many programs have been developed to subsidize the cost of sterilization
surgeries, to encourage people to neuter their pets. Veterinarians perform
these surgeries for fees much lower than warranted for the level of
expertise required to perform them. Additionally, many communities offer
discounts on spays and neuters through the local pound or humane society.
In many European countries, spaying and neutering are uncommon
practices, yet they do not have surplus pet populations as in the U.S. Dog
ownership in places like England and Germany is subject to strict laws and
licensing fees, and owners desiring to breed their animals must have
additional permits.
In America there are few legal restrictions to breeding dogs and cats,
but just because you have the freedom to breed your pet doesn't mean it's a
good thing to do. In light of the sad need to "euthanize" millions of
unwanted dogs and cats annually (estimates range from two to ten million!),
let's thoughtfully examine the pros and cons of pet breeding.
First: there is, and probably will always be, a market for purebred
dogs and cats in this society (particularly dogs.) The ethical breeding of
purebred pets is a labor of love, motivated not by profit but by a desire to
improve and perpetuate the breed through selective mating of healthy,
quality animals. Breeders must be willing to incur the expense of ongoing
care, health certifications and perhaps special testing of their animals for
sale, and unexpected losses through animal deaths or emergency veterinary
fees. Ethical breeders take pains to screen their breeding animals for
genetic problems and will not knowingly breed any inferior-quality specimen
of the breed. We need uncompromising breeders like this to keep alive our
tradition of owning, showing, and appreciating purebreds.
There is much breeding for profit of purebred pets of lesser quality.
Anatomic defects, faulty immune systems, and poor temperaments are thus
perpetuated within the breed. Breeding motivated by greed (rather than the
sincere desire to improve the breed) may result in animal suffering and much
heartache for the purchaser of a defective puppy or kitten. Do not breed
your purebred pet unless you know it is a fine example of the breed and free
of identifiable heritable defects (including skin allergies!)
Mixed-breed dogs ("mutts" or mongrels) are the source of about half the
new puppies obtained by Americans each year. Mutts also far outnumber
purebred dogs in pounds and shelters, and only a small percentage of them
are ultimately adopted. Obviously, a lot of mixed-breed dogs are
reproducing. But I can't think of any good reason to deliberately allow your
mixed-breed dog or cat to bring more surplus pets into a world where so many
already must be destroyed.
You may love your pet so much you want to have another one just like
her - but mongrels are unique and can never have offspring just like
themselves (and there are other uniquely-loveable, wonderful pets out there
waiting for homes.) You may believe that being a mother "just once" will
somehow improve your female pet's temperament, or that it's inhumane to
neuter a male animal and deprive him of sexual escapades - but those are
just anthropomorphic old wives' tales. You say you have plenty of friends
and relatives who have agreed to give your pups or kittens good homes - but
those are people who won't be selecting a possibly more appropriate pet from
a shelter, and saving a life. You may want your child or grandchild to
witness "the miracle of birth" - well, get an educational video from the
library!
In summary, I believe there should be far less deliberate breeding of
pet dogs and cats in this country, excepting purebreds of superior
conformation and health. I advocate spaying and neutering of pets, and
encourage prospective pet owners to visit area shelters as part of the
search for the ideal pet.
effort to control pet over-population which burdens the nation's animal
shelters, resulting in the deliberate killing of millions of dogs and cats
each year. Surgical sterilization is a convenient, permanent method to
prevent reproduction, and brings additional health benefits to the neutered
pet as well (things like cancer prevention, better behavior, and increased
lifespan.)
The pet over-population issue affects the public health, safety, and
economy as well as the welfare of the animals themselves. For this reason
many programs have been developed to subsidize the cost of sterilization
surgeries, to encourage people to neuter their pets. Veterinarians perform
these surgeries for fees much lower than warranted for the level of
expertise required to perform them. Additionally, many communities offer
discounts on spays and neuters through the local pound or humane society.
In many European countries, spaying and neutering are uncommon
practices, yet they do not have surplus pet populations as in the U.S. Dog
ownership in places like England and Germany is subject to strict laws and
licensing fees, and owners desiring to breed their animals must have
additional permits.
In America there are few legal restrictions to breeding dogs and cats,
but just because you have the freedom to breed your pet doesn't mean it's a
good thing to do. In light of the sad need to "euthanize" millions of
unwanted dogs and cats annually (estimates range from two to ten million!),
let's thoughtfully examine the pros and cons of pet breeding.
First: there is, and probably will always be, a market for purebred
dogs and cats in this society (particularly dogs.) The ethical breeding of
purebred pets is a labor of love, motivated not by profit but by a desire to
improve and perpetuate the breed through selective mating of healthy,
quality animals. Breeders must be willing to incur the expense of ongoing
care, health certifications and perhaps special testing of their animals for
sale, and unexpected losses through animal deaths or emergency veterinary
fees. Ethical breeders take pains to screen their breeding animals for
genetic problems and will not knowingly breed any inferior-quality specimen
of the breed. We need uncompromising breeders like this to keep alive our
tradition of owning, showing, and appreciating purebreds.
There is much breeding for profit of purebred pets of lesser quality.
Anatomic defects, faulty immune systems, and poor temperaments are thus
perpetuated within the breed. Breeding motivated by greed (rather than the
sincere desire to improve the breed) may result in animal suffering and much
heartache for the purchaser of a defective puppy or kitten. Do not breed
your purebred pet unless you know it is a fine example of the breed and free
of identifiable heritable defects (including skin allergies!)
Mixed-breed dogs ("mutts" or mongrels) are the source of about half the
new puppies obtained by Americans each year. Mutts also far outnumber
purebred dogs in pounds and shelters, and only a small percentage of them
are ultimately adopted. Obviously, a lot of mixed-breed dogs are
reproducing. But I can't think of any good reason to deliberately allow your
mixed-breed dog or cat to bring more surplus pets into a world where so many
already must be destroyed.
You may love your pet so much you want to have another one just like
her - but mongrels are unique and can never have offspring just like
themselves (and there are other uniquely-loveable, wonderful pets out there
waiting for homes.) You may believe that being a mother "just once" will
somehow improve your female pet's temperament, or that it's inhumane to
neuter a male animal and deprive him of sexual escapades - but those are
just anthropomorphic old wives' tales. You say you have plenty of friends
and relatives who have agreed to give your pups or kittens good homes - but
those are people who won't be selecting a possibly more appropriate pet from
a shelter, and saving a life. You may want your child or grandchild to
witness "the miracle of birth" - well, get an educational video from the
library!
In summary, I believe there should be far less deliberate breeding of
pet dogs and cats in this country, excepting purebreds of superior
conformation and health. I advocate spaying and neutering of pets, and
encourage prospective pet owners to visit area shelters as part of the
search for the ideal pet.
| Welcome Home My Florida! |
Breeding your pets... good or not so good? Dr. Haddix DVM brings us some thoughts on the matter from a
practical point of view, so please take a moment to see what she has to say. And this month, Alex has a story to
share about what happens when you take wildlife into your home as pets...
practical point of view, so please take a moment to see what she has to say. And this month, Alex has a story to
share about what happens when you take wildlife into your home as pets...
| The Family Pet |
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| Adopt a stray! They need you. Spay or Neuter your outdoor animals! Don't buy, adopt! |
| Fur Ball & Feather Fun! |
| When sending photos... Please downsize to a maximum of 400 x 400. Got questions? Email me here! We NEVER open attached photos! |
Dr. Carla Haddix DVM
| Cat Fence? Wouldn't you just love to open your back door and let your cats roam around in your yard? A friend of mine has the fence as in the picture and her cats love the freedom it affords them! The neighbors like the fact she keeps her cats off of their property and everyone couldn't be happier! To Learn more, just click the ad below! |
While I cleaned the cage, we let him swim in my sister’s bath tub. At first it was great great fun for him, but as he got older he
got too big for it and couldn’t actually swim! It was a pain to clean the bathroom each day! We WERE going to get him a kiddy
pool for a while but stuff came up that you’ll find out later.
Afterwards we’d let him get some exercise outside. We have a fenced in back yard so we just put the dogs at my neighbor’s
house. He had fun going through our garden! He liked another older duck that was out there. He was scared of the out side
world though at first. However, getting him back inside was also a challenge. WE got the exercise as we chased him, trying to
catch him. Putting him inside left a trail of mess too that had to be cleaned up each day.
He got big fast. He was no longer a cute little duck, especially to my mom who couldn’t wait for the day he could be released to
the wild. She complained about the smell in the house. He slept in my room, but she checked on me each night to make sure
that I wasn’t overcome with the fumes from his cage. It was pretty bad!
A few weeks ago Wally (yes we named it Wally!) began growing wing feathers. We noticed that its left wing wasn’t straight. It’s
either a broken wing, birth defect or a healed break. He doesn’t mind us touching it so we think it’s just a defect. We don’t know
if he can fly so we began looking for a reserve to put him in. We couldn’t find one because the bird reserves around here only
take birds that are native to the area.
Eventually, we found a home in another neighborhood that had ducks on their pond. They stay around, because they feed them
daily. They agreed to add this duck to their collection. Some as in the picture come right up to you. I can’t remember the species
names but they were like the car insurance duck! It is big and white with some silver and brown. We get daily reports saying
that the other ducks are looking out for him, showing him how to come to the house and eat. He seems to be a little anti-social,
but the other ducks are taking care of him it seems. It is much better to let an animal grow up in his own natural environment!
There are definite challenges to helping a wild animal!
Well till next time goodbye!
Note from Deborah... Alex, being the kid he is, started this adventure by 'thinking' that rescuing the animal from rotten kids would
be a good thing. It was... but when any wild creature grows up, you realize that letting it go is another form of rescue. This duck
should have been released to another family of ducks to see if an 'adoption' could have taken place naturally. However, we
humans like to 'control' things when we can, thus creating a bigger problem than before. Just remember that when you see a
wild animal in distress, step in to help, then seek advise to find the best solution on releasing it back into the wild... quickly.
got too big for it and couldn’t actually swim! It was a pain to clean the bathroom each day! We WERE going to get him a kiddy
pool for a while but stuff came up that you’ll find out later.
Afterwards we’d let him get some exercise outside. We have a fenced in back yard so we just put the dogs at my neighbor’s
house. He had fun going through our garden! He liked another older duck that was out there. He was scared of the out side
world though at first. However, getting him back inside was also a challenge. WE got the exercise as we chased him, trying to
catch him. Putting him inside left a trail of mess too that had to be cleaned up each day.
He got big fast. He was no longer a cute little duck, especially to my mom who couldn’t wait for the day he could be released to
the wild. She complained about the smell in the house. He slept in my room, but she checked on me each night to make sure
that I wasn’t overcome with the fumes from his cage. It was pretty bad!
A few weeks ago Wally (yes we named it Wally!) began growing wing feathers. We noticed that its left wing wasn’t straight. It’s
either a broken wing, birth defect or a healed break. He doesn’t mind us touching it so we think it’s just a defect. We don’t know
if he can fly so we began looking for a reserve to put him in. We couldn’t find one because the bird reserves around here only
take birds that are native to the area.
Eventually, we found a home in another neighborhood that had ducks on their pond. They stay around, because they feed them
daily. They agreed to add this duck to their collection. Some as in the picture come right up to you. I can’t remember the species
names but they were like the car insurance duck! It is big and white with some silver and brown. We get daily reports saying
that the other ducks are looking out for him, showing him how to come to the house and eat. He seems to be a little anti-social,
but the other ducks are taking care of him it seems. It is much better to let an animal grow up in his own natural environment!
There are definite challenges to helping a wild animal!
Well till next time goodbye!
Note from Deborah... Alex, being the kid he is, started this adventure by 'thinking' that rescuing the animal from rotten kids would
be a good thing. It was... but when any wild creature grows up, you realize that letting it go is another form of rescue. This duck
should have been released to another family of ducks to see if an 'adoption' could have taken place naturally. However, we
humans like to 'control' things when we can, thus creating a bigger problem than before. Just remember that when you see a
wild animal in distress, step in to help, then seek advise to find the best solution on releasing it back into the wild... quickly.
| Gainesville FOSTER HOMES! We have a GREAT need for more foster homes! Please, if you can help us, our pets will smother you with love! Call us today! (352) 692-4773 |
| We NEVER euthanize! |
We need FOSTER HOMES! This is an
opportunity to help without any long term
commitment and you'll have so much fun
doing it!
opportunity to help without any long term
commitment and you'll have so much fun
doing it!
Please don't buy your new pet from a pet store! (Unless they have
rescue groups bringing in cats that need adoption). There are so
many animals roaming the streets of our cities! Help us help the
unwanted, abandoned and abused animals of Osceola County.
rescue groups bringing in cats that need adoption). There are so
many animals roaming the streets of our cities! Help us help the
unwanted, abandoned and abused animals of Osceola County.
Hi, I'm Cocoa Puff,
and I'm a beautiful
Tortoiseshell feline
looking to be loved!
I'm a girl, and only 3
months old...
I hear the people in
my foster home say
that I'm just simply
adorable! Playful!
and such a
blessing! How's
that for lovable??
| Molly was rescued from the animal shelter on a cold day in February. When I first saw her she was struggling to stand up as she was so stiff from laying on the cold, hard floor. She came right over to me and looked at me with those big brown eyes as if she was saying please get me out of here….so I did. READ MORE... |
| There is nothing Millie seems to love more than affection. She is very playful and loving. and small things so we wouldn't recommend her in a house with cats. Millie is very well house trained and crate trained as well. She is looking for her forever home with a loving active family! |
Cheeto
I'm just about the cutest little
guy at my foster home! I'm only
5 months old and LOVE to play
and cuddle! I hear them call me
a character! I just love everyone
and want to cuddle up on your
lap. I even love other cats! No
dogs... (Dogs drool, Cats rule
ya know)!
So email Anita and tell her you
want Cheeto!
I'm just about the cutest little
guy at my foster home! I'm only
5 months old and LOVE to play
and cuddle! I hear them call me
a character! I just love everyone
and want to cuddle up on your
lap. I even love other cats! No
dogs... (Dogs drool, Cats rule
ya know)!
So email Anita and tell her you
want Cheeto!
| DON'T SHOP ADOPT! |
Kissimmee/St. Cloud's
Spay The Strays
Cat Rescue
We NEVER euthanize animals!
Spay The Strays
Cat Rescue
We NEVER euthanize animals!
| Meet Sebastian! He really needs a new home! He's the king of the roost and looking for a new perch! Email HERE |
CAT FACTS:
The largest cat breed is the Ragdoll. Males
weigh twelve to twenty pounds, with females
weighing ten to fifteen pounds. The smallest
cat breed is the Singapura. Males weigh
about six pounds while females weigh about
four pounds.
Calico cats are almost always female.
If your cat is near you, and her tail is quivering,
this is the greatest expression of love your cat
can give you.
A single pair of cats and their kittens can
produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7
years. SO STERILIZE OUTDOOR PETS!
The largest cat breed is the Ragdoll. Males
weigh twelve to twenty pounds, with females
weighing ten to fifteen pounds. The smallest
cat breed is the Singapura. Males weigh
about six pounds while females weigh about
four pounds.
Calico cats are almost always female.
If your cat is near you, and her tail is quivering,
this is the greatest expression of love your cat
can give you.
A single pair of cats and their kittens can
produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7
years. SO STERILIZE OUTDOOR PETS!
| BIRD MAN ALEX |
WILDLIFE AS PETS? THINK ABOUT IT!
Outta my home duck!
Its totally true! Over the past few months I have been
raising a Muscovy duck from infancy to three months of
age. I thought I’d let you know this, it isn’t easy. I told you
how I got it, but I haven’t told you what it was like raising
it, and then how we got it back into the wild.
Just to say the duck is huge! And as far as we can tell he
is healthy. But every day I had to clean out its dog kennel
because he sure did make a mess of it!
Outta my home duck!
Its totally true! Over the past few months I have been
raising a Muscovy duck from infancy to three months of
age. I thought I’d let you know this, it isn’t easy. I told you
how I got it, but I haven’t told you what it was like raising
it, and then how we got it back into the wild.
Just to say the duck is huge! And as far as we can tell he
is healthy. But every day I had to clean out its dog kennel
because he sure did make a mess of it!
I'm ready to come home with you so email
SpayTheStrays@aol.com and ask for Cocoa Puff!
SpayTheStrays@aol.com and ask for Cocoa Puff!
Pick me! Pick me!
| Submit a funny pet story and photo! All are welcome to join in on the fun, so come get involved. EMAIL HERE No Attachments! |
| YOUR PET PHOTOS AND STORIES! |
TO BREED OR NOT TO BREED
There is nothing more appealing than a litter of puppies or kittens. However, when it comes to deciding whether
or not to allow our pets to reproduce, we need to look beyond the warm, fuzzy emotional arguments and consider
the responsibilities and ramifications of pet-breeding.
It is up to you to control your pet's reproductive behavior, whether or not you choose to have the pet surgically
altered. Proper care of a pet requires not only providing its food, water, medical care, etc., but also assuring that it
will not roam free and mate at will. This applies even to "stray" or feral cats - if you give them food and shelter then
you must make every effort to get them sterilized, on your own or working with local feralcat management teams.
There is nothing more appealing than a litter of puppies or kittens. However, when it comes to deciding whether
or not to allow our pets to reproduce, we need to look beyond the warm, fuzzy emotional arguments and consider
the responsibilities and ramifications of pet-breeding.
It is up to you to control your pet's reproductive behavior, whether or not you choose to have the pet surgically
altered. Proper care of a pet requires not only providing its food, water, medical care, etc., but also assuring that it
will not roam free and mate at will. This applies even to "stray" or feral cats - if you give them food and shelter then
you must make every effort to get them sterilized, on your own or working with local feralcat management teams.
| WHY ADOPT FROM A RESCUE GROUP? |
Meet Miss Nancy and Honey Bunz, one of the latest
adoptions that have taken place through Kissimmee's
Spay The Strays, Inc.. I visited the new 'family' and was
pleased to find exactly what we thought we'd find... a
new found love not only for Miss Nancy, but for a cat
who had been tossed out to die on the streets.
This cat has adopted Miss Nancy to the point that it sits
in the window or near the back door waiting for the
arrival of her new mom, Miss Nancy. "It's just adorable
the way this cat is there at the door to greet me when I
return home from being away. She's just simply the
most lovable cat in the world and I'm totally hers! She's
got control of the house and pretty much me as well!
I've got to tell you, I just love this cat. I love the work
Anita is doing in our community and am so thankful for
all her hard work. I wouldn't give this cat up for anything
in the world. She's my new love."
Nancy told me that Honey Bunz' favorite place is sitting
on the arm of her chair while she knits, playing with the
yarn and watching her knitting needles fly as Miss
Nancy knits away.
Thinking of a new feline for the family? Please, don't
shop for pets! Contact Anita or any of the rescue
groups in your area because I know you'll find the love
of your life as well.
Thank you Miss Nancy and give Honey Bunz a big kiss
for all of us! You're both precious!
Deborah of Welcome Home My Florida.com
adoptions that have taken place through Kissimmee's
Spay The Strays, Inc.. I visited the new 'family' and was
pleased to find exactly what we thought we'd find... a
new found love not only for Miss Nancy, but for a cat
who had been tossed out to die on the streets.
This cat has adopted Miss Nancy to the point that it sits
in the window or near the back door waiting for the
arrival of her new mom, Miss Nancy. "It's just adorable
the way this cat is there at the door to greet me when I
return home from being away. She's just simply the
most lovable cat in the world and I'm totally hers! She's
got control of the house and pretty much me as well!
I've got to tell you, I just love this cat. I love the work
Anita is doing in our community and am so thankful for
all her hard work. I wouldn't give this cat up for anything
in the world. She's my new love."
Nancy told me that Honey Bunz' favorite place is sitting
on the arm of her chair while she knits, playing with the
yarn and watching her knitting needles fly as Miss
Nancy knits away.
Thinking of a new feline for the family? Please, don't
shop for pets! Contact Anita or any of the rescue
groups in your area because I know you'll find the love
of your life as well.
Thank you Miss Nancy and give Honey Bunz a big kiss
for all of us! You're both precious!
Deborah of Welcome Home My Florida.com
| Can you say AFLAC?? |
He was the messiest animal that I have ever had to take care of. He throws his food into the water, which makes a mud like
substance, then he eats it, shakes his head and gets it all over the walls, floors and everything else. He also goes to the
bathroom more than any animal I have ever taken care of too.
substance, then he eats it, shakes his head and gets it all over the walls, floors and everything else. He also goes to the
bathroom more than any animal I have ever taken care of too.
| CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR CLOSER VIEW |
Alex found out in short order that even though this type of duck is ADORABLE as a baby, they
soon grow out of cute and can become a huge problem. Fortunately, we found a great new
home for Wally and all is well! Lesson learned.
soon grow out of cute and can become a huge problem. Fortunately, we found a great new
home for Wally and all is well! Lesson learned.