Is your cat a floosie?

Do you "let the cat out"? Does she occasionally get overly affectionate and run about seductively? Does she hang-out with an undesirable lot of feisty aggressive toms who yowl and hiss and fight through the wee hours? Does she disappear for long periods and come back with a suspicious smirk on her face? Is she spayed?

Yes? yes? yes? yes? and no?

Then you are the owner of a feline floosie. A dubious distinction indeed, for her. And for you.

Why? Because cats breed like rabbits, that's why. An uncontrolled mating pair will beget twelve cats in a year, which will beget sixty-six cats in two years, thus begetting three hundred-eighty-two cats in three years, thence two thousand cats in four years, seventy three thousand in seven years, and thereby begetting - gasp - eighty million cats in only ten years.

Result? Inevitable suffering for millions of our friendly, fluffy, friends, homelessness, starvation, disease and death from cars, larger animals, pranksters, and more.

We have a huge feral cat (wild cat) problem, please do not contribute to this exploding population.

You can help stop these generations of suffering. Have your female spayed, your male neutered don't allow litters.

Why should I have my pet spayed/neutered?

Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate companions.

Owners of spayed and neutered dogs receive a discount on their license fee.

Most people can see the obvious benefit of spaying a female dog - avoiding unwanted litters - but don't know the many medical and behavioral benefits of having their male dog neutered.

Neutered dogs are healthier. Neutered dogs are less likely to develop prostate problems and testicular tumors. By eliminating most roaming and fighting, neutering reduces the risk of injury and infection, saving you expensive veterinary bills.

Neutered dogs are more content and better behaved. Neutering reduces the annoying and embarrassing urge of male dogs to "mount" furniture or people's legs. Neutering reduces aggression against other animals. A male sensing a female in heat nearby may break down doors and jump fences, and will roam the neighborhood searching for her. Neutering relieves this sexual frustration and lets the dog relax and enjoy being part of the family. Dogs have no psychological sex drive. They feel no need to reproduce, and are happier when they're neutered.

Neutering is a relatively safe and painless operation done by a licensed veterinarian. In some areas, neutered dogs are eligible for reduced license fees, which soon make up the cost of the operation.

By neutering your dog, you enhance its chances of living a long healthy life, save yourself a great deal of potential trouble and cost, and make your pet a more content family member.

Spaying or neutering your dog will also save you $11.00/year on your Boston City License.

All content provided by the American Humane Association

For more information Contact Boston's Animal Control Department.