Lack of spaying, neutering is at root of high death rates, experts say

By Lisa O'Donnell
Published: March 31, 2011 

Upon learning that 90 percent of the cats and 68 percent of the dogs taken to the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, N.C., were euthanized in 2010, Stephanie Belcher repeated a statement that she has uttered countless times over the past few years.

"The spaying and neutering of pets is the most important thing anyone can do to cut down on the euthanization of cats and dogs," she said.
The shelter killed 3,103 dogs out of 4,560 taken in, and 2,997 cats were killed out of 3,346 taken in.
Belcher, a former president and current board member of the Humane Society of Forsyth County, said she and others with the organization have made educating the public about spaying and neutering their top priority for years.
The importance of these procedures was underscored this week when the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released its annual report on euthanizations at public animal shelters around the state.
Cats, which are less likely to be adopted than dogs, were euthanized at a higher rate. In Davidson County, for example, 96 percent of the 4,133 cats taken in were killed, compared with 78 percent of the 3,625 dogs, according to the report.
Davie County officials, who did not report their numbers to the state, could not be reached for comment.
In Surry County, 1,713 dogs were killed of 1,982 taken in, or 86 percent, and 1,835 cats were killed of 1,951 taken in, or 94 percent.
"The numbers are alarming," Belcher said. "It's so sad to see so many adoptable pets that have to be euthanized because the majority of these are perfectly healthy and have wonderful personalities. The shelters just don't have the room for them."
In Forsyth County, the sluggish economy has resulted in fewer people adopting pets from the shelter.
At any given time in the past year, adoptions of cats and dogs have been down 16 percent to 25 percent from the previous year, according to Matt Smith, manager of the animal shelter.
Carolyn Roby, the manager of the Forsyth Spay Neuter Clinic in Kernersville, said she is not surprised that so many cats and dogs are dying in shelters.
The clinic, a nonprofit organization, offers low-cost spaying and neutering to anyone. The Humane Society offers vouchers for people who need assistance paying for the procedures.
Roby and Belcher said they hear all kinds of reasons people don't spay and neuter.
"Some people still don't believe in them," Roby said. "They think the animal was put here to continue to have little ones. And a lot of it is money. So many people adopt for their children and can't afford it. People don't realize how expensive pets can be."
Spaying and neutering prices are typically determined by the pet's weight. Spaying a dog less than 40 pounds will cost about $75 at the clinic; neutering a dog of the same weight will cost about $65, Roby said.
Neutering a cat may cost about $55, while spaying will run about $90.
Debbie Cowan, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Walnut Cove, gives discounts to people in Stokes County who adopt from the county's shelter. The euthanization rate there was 66 percent for dogs, or 908 dogs out of 1,378, and 82 percent for cats, or 1,056 out of 1,284.
Cowan said she's disappointed that more people don't take advantage of the program.
"We're trying to give people as many breaks as possible," Cowan said.

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lo'donnell@wsjournal.com

(336) 727-7420

NUMBERS BY COUNTY

Forsyth

Dogs taken in: 4,560
Dogs euthanized: 3,103
Cats taken in: 3,346
Cats euthanized: 2,997

Alleghany

Dogs taken in: 412
Dogs euthanized: 94
Cats taken in: 210
Cats euthanized: 16

Ashe

Failed to report

Davidson

Dogs taken in: 3,625
Dogs euthanized: 2,846
Cats taken in: 4,133
Cats euthanized: 3,984

Davie

Failed to report

Stokes

Dogs taken in: 1,378
Dogs euthanized: 908
Cats taken in: 1,284
Cats euthanized: 1,056

Surry

Dogs taken in: 1,982
Dogs euthanized: 1,713
Cats taken in: 1,951
Cats euthanized: 1,835

Watauga

Dogs taken in: 448
Dogs euthanized: 61
Cats taken in: 510
Cats euthanized: 251

Wilkes

Dogs taken in: 2,739
Dogs euthanized: 1,903
Cats taken in: 2,803
Cats euthanized: 2,536

Yadkin

Dogs taken in: 1,055
Dogs euthanized: 894
Cats taken in: 1,361
Cats euthanized: 1,340

N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service

Original article:
Lack of spaying, neutering is at root of high death rates, experts say JournalNow.com

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