Spayweek Ireland is on from the 25th to 31st May.

This year, as well as promoting spaying/neutering, they're producing a pack for schools to try to get the message out to the next generation. The statistics are fairly sobering - 16,546 dogs were put down in pounds across Ireland in 2005. Most of those dogs were healthy - their only crime was that they were no longer wanted :( A lot of these dogs were "pedigree" too, it's not just the crossbreeds that suffer. Spaying and neutering will help cut down on the number of unwanted animals as well as the obvious health benefits.

Separating Fact from Fiction

According to Spay Week Ireland organiser Pete Wedderburn, it’s important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to considering spaying or neutering your pet.

The Facts

* Ireland destroys dogs at a rate ten times higher than the UK. An average of 317 dogs were destroyed every week in Irish pounds in 2005, nearly all of them healthy.
* No official figures are available for the number of abandoned cats that die in Ireland but anecdotal evidence strongly suggests the figure is even higher.
* These numbers would be cut dramatically if more owners would spay or neuter their pets
* Spaying or neutering is good for your pet’s health. The risk of cancer plummets, they’re less likely to be aggressive and they live longer as a result.

The Fiction

* MYTH: Spayed or neutered pets get lazy and fat. FACT: Proper diet and exercise keeps them healthy and fit.
* MYTH: Female cats and dogs should have at least one litter. FACT: They are perfectly healthy and fulfilled without reproducing.
* MYTH: Neutering changes a pet’s personality FACT: Your pet will remain as loving as ever.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Spay Week Ireland: Visit: www.spayweekireland.ie

DogsTrust and VICAS are also still doing subsidised neutering for those on means tested social welfare benefits at a greatly reduced fee of €14. More info can be found on the spayweekireand site.


It's important that cats are neutered too - there are far too many unwanted cats and kittens out there. Our household has one pedigree cat and five rescued cats and I can tell you that that one pedigree devil has caused more trouble, cost more money and generally been a bigger pain than all 5 of the rescues put together!