Sterilisation

ISSUE NO. 01
DECEMBER 2021

Sterilisation

Photo: Clinton Mahlase

Written by: Keagan Mattison

In a period of just six years, one female dog and her litter can reproduce up to 67 000 puppies! Similarly, in a period of 7 years, one female cat and her offspring can reproduce 370 000 kittens, and the numbers continue to increase exponentially from there!

Over 40 million South Africans rely on animal welfare organisations to support their pets, however these establishments are under immense strain being only able to assist a segment of this population, thereby leaving innumerable animals without any access to basic veterinary care. It’s been reported that South Africa has a grave scarcity of specialist surgeons, with only twelve practicing in the entire country. This problem is further exasperated by the fact that less than one surgical specialist is allocated per major city outside of Johannesburg and Pretoria. This amounts to approximately 870 000 homed dogs and cats for every surgeon.

This explains why millions of innocent dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are euthanised every year, due to the shortage of both loving homes to take them in and people without access to animal welfare services. Sterilisation is the affordable, simple solution to saving millions of animals from a life of struggle with hunger, thirst, neglect, abuse or euthanisation in animal shelters because their forever family never arrives.

Sterilisation in both male and female cats and dogs has many far-reaching benefits, namely:

Improved longevity and avoidance of unplanned litters.
Sterilised pets are less susceptible to contract some diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in cats or the Transmissible Venereal Tumour virus in dogs.
Having your female cat or dog sterilised at an early age can further protect them from the later onset of critical health issues such as urinary infections and mammary gland Cancer, which are found to be malignant in approximately 50% of dogs and 90% of cats.
Neutered males have a reduced chance of developing prostate and testicular Cancer, thereby enhancing their quality and length of life.
Altered males are less inclined to mark their territory around the home by spraying a strong-scent over all your household belongings. This should also eliminate the instinctive need to mount people, other dogs and nonliving objects.

Remember, whilst sterilising your male pet reduces their testosterone levels, there is no guarantee that their unfavourable behaviour will improve. This is because they may have become accustomed to certain learnt behaviours and there is the possibility that these habits will continue if left unchecked. At the end of the day, the outcomes of neutering are largely influenced by your pet’s unique character, biology and history.

If you should sterilise is not the question.
It’s most certainly when.

Cities and countries worldwide are aggressively addressing the animal overpopulation crisis and areas that are efficient in doing so have reported drastic reductions in the number of animals being taken in to animal shelters and euthanised. It all starts with you and your community, so spread the word about pet sterilisation. Together we can overcome this crisis and in so doing, contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of the precious animals with which we share this beautiful planet.

Together we can overcome this crisis and in so doing, contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of the precious animals with which we share this beautiful planet.

The Pooch Pageant 2021

On Sunday the 05 December 2021, Woodrock Animal Rescue hosted their very first Pooch Pageant. An event like no other, celebrating certain special individuals in the collective pack of Woodrock’s canines.

Sterilizing Your Pet

Tails of Tales is an NPO that visits several regions within the Gauteng area, offering affordable sterilisations and more importantly − equipping the public with education surrounding sterilisations ...

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Heroes Of Woodrock Animal Rescue

Woodrock Animal Rescue was founded in 1992 by Nicholas and Estelle Meldau, whose focus, passion and drive made their animal rescue vision a reality.

The Pooch Pageant 2021

Sterilizing Your Pet

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Heroes Of Woodrock Animal Rescue

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