[PET OHANA]
There are not enough homes for all the cats and dogs that find themselves homeless in Hawaii each year. Although animal reproduction is the result of doing what comes naturally, the consequences are mind-boggling. In seven years a cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens. In six years a female dog and her offspring can bear 67,000 puppies. Humans are the only ones who can solve the problem. Neuter Now program
shows respect for lifeShow your respect for life by sterilizing your pets. This simple surgery is affordable and available for Oahu dogs and cats through the Neuter Now program. The city and county of Honolulu, the Hawaiian Humane Society and many Oahu veterinarians cooperate to provide low-cost sterilizations.
While this surgery can cost several hundred dollars, the procedure is just $18 for males or $29 for females through the Neuter Now certificate. This fee typically covers everything from the pre-surgery exam, anesthesia, the surgery itself and subsequent removal of stitches, if needed.
Here are seven reasons to spay and neuter your pets:
>> Sterilized pets are more likely to live longer, healthier lives. Neutered male dogs and cats are less likely to roam and therefore are less likely to get hit by cars, injured by other animals or lost.
>> Sterilized pets are healthier. Spay surgery eliminates a female's risk of developing uterine cancer or infections and greatly reduces her chance of developing mammary cancer. Neutered male dogs and cats rarely suffer from diseases of the prostate or testicular tumors.
>> You will be helping to reduce pet overpopulation. The Hawaiian Humane Society received more than 26,000 lost, homeless and abandoned cats and dogs last year.
>> Your pet will be a better companion. Male cats are not as likely to spray, and male dogs are not as likely to mark territory or urinate in the home. Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates heat periods, confinement, the discharge of blood and the odor that attracts males.
>> Sterilized dogs are less likely to bite. Statistics show that neutered dogs are about one-third less likely to bite. However, sterilization does not affect a dog's ability to be a good "watch dog."
>> For many cats it's the law. The cat protection law states that all cats age 6 months or older allowed outside must be spayed or neutered.
>> It's inexpensive. Purchase a Neuter Now certificate at the Hawaiian Humane Society or any satellite city hall. You can also get a certificate by mail or fax; request an application by phoning 946-2187, ext. 227. To get more information via the Internet, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org/programs/neuternow/index.html.
Those living on neighbor islands should check with their Humane Society about sterilization programs. On Kauai call 632-0610; on Maui call 877-3680; on the Big Island call 329-1175.
Paws on Manana trail
Paws on the Path, a hiking group for people and their dogs, takes to the Manana trail overlooking Pearl City on Sept. 29.The trail is partly sunny, partly shady. Bring a snack and water. From Pearl City, go mauka on Waimano Home Road. Take a left at Komo Mai Drive, go to the end and park on the road. Meet there between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m.
A different hike takes place the last Saturday of each month. For more information about the hikes, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org/news/displayevent.asp?id=118&date=9/29/01.
"Pet Ohana," which runs the first and third Fridays of the month, is written by the staff of the Hawaiian Humane Society.
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