Sixth-graders urge people to spay and neuter their pets

Editor:

According to the Humane Society of the United States, for every person that is born in the United States, 45 cats and 15 dogs will be born. There are more than 70 million homeless cats and dogs in our country. People should spay and neuter their pets.

About 3.7 million pets in shelters are euthanized each year because homes cannot be found for them. It costs taxpayers more than a billion dollars in a year to capture, feed and euthanize dogs and cats that can’t be taken care of. Overpopulation costs lives and lots of money.

Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite or wander away from home. In addition, pets that are spayed or neutered are often healthier. They have a smaller chance of getting some kinds of cancer.

Some people say that it costs too much to spay or neuter their pets and spaying and neutering is painful to dogs and cats. However, the cost for spaying or neutering a dog or cat is less than taking care of a single kitten or a puppy for a year. Furthermore, serious harm as a result of spay/neuter surgery is rare. After surgery, some animals feel some discomfort, but it usually disappears in a few days.

So you see, people should spay or neuter their pets. Animals that are spayed and neutered are healthier. Spaying and neutering pets can help with cat and dog overpopulation and can save money, too.

Sincerely,

Albion Middle School Grade 6 Literacy Class:

Brayden Cassidy

Breanna Drake

Jaquies Johnson

Wendy Lagunas Perez

Iris Rosario Reyes

Perla Santiago Franco