THE IMPORTANCE OF STERILZATION
The first you can do to be involved and save animal lives, is spaying and neutering your own animals and making sure that they are microchipped or always wearing tags.
So what is spaying and neutering? Sometimes referred to as "altering", spaying and neutering are ways of providing birth control for dogs and cats by removing their reproductive organs, therefore preventing them from having litters of puppies or kittens. Spaying is the procedure used for female animals, and neutering refers to the procedure used for male animals.
What happens without spaying and neutering?
All citizens, including those who do not even have pets, are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to care for lost, abandoned, and unwanted pets... and millions more are euthanized because no one adopts them.
The health and safety of our communities is another concern. The greater the population of unwanted animals, the greater the incidence of such animal related issues as rabies, dog bites, cat scratches, traffic accidents, and animal abuse.
This is an example of a mammory tumor on a tiny chi that we found on the West side. The tumor weighed 2 lbs and was caused because she was never sterilized.
We are tired of seeing people dump their puppies in fields or cemeteries because they can't afford to care for so many animals. We are tired of seeing animals starve to death or contract horrible diseases like parvovirus, distemper and mange.
When families spay/neuter, the majority of these issues can be eradicated.
DON'T SHOP. ADOPT.
Why adopt instead of buy from a breeder?
On any given day, San Antonio Animal Care Services will euthanize between 5-50 dogs and cats, many are owner surrenders or strays. The monthly numbers are staggering. This completely defeats the purpose of San Antonio becoming a no-kill city. Shelters do have pure bred pets for adoption as do breed specific rescues, so consider adopting instead of buying a pure bred dog or cat.
When animals are not spayed or neutered, they breed. Unfortunately, the collateral damage is to their offspring.
This poor puppy was found wondering in a neighborhood by a young woman. When Stormy was rescued, it was discovered that she was infested with fleas and ticks. She was on the verge of death, but fortunately, she was saved.
Tick disease can be a very deadly disease for puppies and dogs. Always make sure your dog is on monthly flea/tick prevention.
P.A.W.S. is a foster-based rescue, which means all of our rescued animals are kept in home environments while they recover and await adoption.
We are ALWAYS in need of more foster homes.
GET INVOLVED
END THE SUFFERING