Pet Talk: Should pets have babies?

DEAR PET TALK: Is it good for pets to get pregnant?

— PET LOVER

DEAR PET LOVER: We’ve never had this question before and I’m glad you asked. The short answer is absolutely not. The number of dogs, cats and other animals (rabbits, pocket pets such as Guinea pigs) who over-populate area shelters are the result of a variety of factors which include pet owners not spaying their female pets as well as individuals or families moving and surrendering (or abandoning) a pet.

Here’s some data: there are approximately 4,000 shelters in the U.S.; and in the six New England states there are 358 rescues and 216 shelters. Some shelters and rescues have paid staff; the vast majority do not and it’s up to kind-hearted and dedicated volunteers to deal with abundant unwanted dogs and cats.

Yes, there are more stray animals than prospective owners. I work with numerous shelters to write “Pet of the Week: (also on this page), and every shelter I work with regularly puts out the call for foster homes to assist with kittens, animals in recovery or animals in need of hospice care.

In short: there are just too many unwanted pets, and this is a result of irresponsible owners.

Be PAWSitive Therapy Pets and Community Education visits many schools and community settings, and we have begun to add the following talking points to our conversation. Animals are animals. Dogs and cats are not people. The deep-seated, biological drive that humans have to reproduce — to give birth or adopt a baby or child, to create a family is not shared by our dogs and cats. They are animals. They are different than human beings.

In fact, if you’ve ever been around a female dog or cat in heat, they vocalize in a very distinctive way — and they don’t sound comfortable. And an intact male dog or cat will be extremely excitable if they are around a female in heat. Now we have an indoor cat or dog motivated to escape their home. The likelihood of a stray cat having her kittens in an out-of-the-way place is also strong.

Recently, I was told by a Good Samaritan, that a child had showed up at the door with a kitten she had received as part of a “goodie bag” at a birthday party. The child did not know how to take care of the kitten and the child’s parents did not want the kitten in their home. The irresponsibility of such actions — and the cruelty — cannot be overstated. Now we have an unwanted kitten (and undoubtedly multiples). Plus, an unspayed female cat in our community who will, unless steps are taken, have another litter of kittens.

How is this positive for pets? It’s not. Be a responsible pet owner, and get your cat or dog spayed or neutered. It’s the right thing to do.

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Send questions to [email protected].