I read an interesting article in the spring 2011 issue of “Tailwaggers,” a publication of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa based in Des Moines.

The article talked about the importance of spaying and neutering our pets. Bob Barker is known as the former host of The Price is Right, but he’s also known for what he said at the end of every show, “This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.” I remember this very well because everytime my grandmas babysat us, we watched The Price is Right.

February 22 was “Spay Day USA,” to promote the awareness/importance of spaying and neutering.

What I found most interesting in the article was some statistics on the subject.

During the past nine years, the ARL in Des Moines spayed and neutered more than 43,000 animals.

To put that into perspective, if those 43,000 animals had just ONE offspring; that would likely be 43,000 unwanted kittens/puppies. But typical litters are more than one offspring.

According to the ARL, one unspayed female cat and her kittens and their kittens, during a seven year period results in 420,000 cats!

In 1993, a bill passed requiring all Iowa shelters to have adoptable pets spayed and neutered.

Numerous programs are also available to help with the cost of spaying/neutering your pets. If you haven’t done so already, listen to Bob Barker.

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