We don't adopt out to homes with unaltered pets.  We feel very passionate about this, after having been in rescue for as long as we have.  Why not?  BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ANIMALS BEING EUTHANIZED EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY!!  Oh, you say, I'll know exactly where my puppies will go to - they'll have great homes!   But will you know what happens to the puppies of the puppies?   Or their puppies?  How do you know who will be a responsible pet owner?  You won't, and those dogs may end up in a rescue or on the street or god knows where.  

SOME COMMON MYTHS:

Can't I allow my purebred dog to have just one litter?

Mixed breed or purebred -- there just aren’t enough homes. Purebred animals also often end up in shelters. In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds. Responsible purebred breeders have homes for their potential litters before they breed,  they will have a spay/neuter contracts with adopters if that dog is a pet quality puppy, or if it is to be bred, that breeder will know exactly when, where and how often.  Also, the pedigree of the dog is a known factor, with health guarantees, and the breeder will always take back a puppy or kitten if needed during the course of its lifetime.  These animals will not end up in shelters or on the street.

Isn't it wrong to deprive an animal of the natural right to reproduce?

No, it’s wrong to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring that are eventually killed because there aren’t enough responsible homes.

If I find homes for my pet's litters, then I won't contribute to the problem, right?

Wrong. Only a finite number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet’s offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter.

Shouldn't every female pet have at least one litter before being spayed?

No. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures.

Shouldn't children experience the miracle of birth?

No. A more important lesson to teach your children would be responsible pet ownership and concern for life by explaining why their pet should not have babies.  Foster a pregnant animal and let it have its litter at your home if you want your kids to expeience the miracle of birth!

Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?

No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies.

Won't animal shelters take care of the surplus animals?

No. Shelters do their best to place animals in loving homes, but the number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of willing adopters. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem.

Neutering just costs too much!

The cost of caring for a pet, including providing veterinary care, should be considered before acquiring an animal. Many animal shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services, and there are also many low-cost spay/neuter clinics across the country. To find low-cost options in your area, call your local animal shelter. The reality is that the cost associated with providing adequate care for just one litter of puppies or kittens is often more than the cost of spaying or neutering. The cost of feeding, worming and first vaccinations for a litter can be upwards of $200 to $300. You must also consider that there could be complications with the birth that require hospitalization or surgery. It can cost over $1000 to have a c-section performed if necessary - will you recoup the cost of this?  Oftentimes, not.  Most responsible breeders LOSE money on their breedings. You will also be faced with finding good homes for the offspring yourself or placing more animals into your local shelter. The cost of the well-being of not just your companion animal, but of future generations, should be considered. 

What are some of the health and behavioral benefits?

Through neutering, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing of a female cat in heat. Spaying a female dog also eliminates the messiness associated with the heat cycle.

Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will generally get along better if they are neutered.

A long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.

Why should I have my pet neutered?

Animal shelters, both public and private, are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs and cats that they cannot find homes for? Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough willing adopters. Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.

(article from the American Humane Association). 

NOTE:  There are resources out there for low cost spay/neuter.  Check with your city or county for spay/neuter vouchers, and in Redding contact SAFE at 530-410-6303. or www.safenorthstate.org to submit an online request OR

Call Haven Humane at 241-1653. - there are three programs available: 

1) $10 for male cats, and $20 for female cats to people who live in the 96001, 96002 zip. 

2) If you live in Shasta County you are eligible to spay/neuter either a dog or cat for $25.  This is possible from a grant from the Shasta Animal Welfare foundation Low Cost Spay/Neuter Fund (while funds are available). 

3) For feral cats you can put a deposit on a trap at Haven, and bring in the cat to be spayed/neutered, tested, vaccinated and given flea preventative for $25.  This service is availalble the 3rd Sunday of the month.  Call for more details.