Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue is a place for new beginnings. We provide a safe haven for homeless pets while building a no kill community in Rutherford County, N.C.

Why it's important to spay/neuter your pets

One of the medical benefits of spaying or neutering your pet is your female pet will live a longer and healthier life. Also, spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

There are a few behavioral benefits of spaying and neutering pets also. Your spayed female pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently. Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals. Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people, and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering also.

WHY WE DON'T DECLAW CATS