Every year local pounds and humane societies kill 300,000 loving and adoptable pets because there are no homes for them. Countless others are abandoned to the streets, left to die on the freeways, or fall victim to unspeakable cruelty. Unless we alter the future now, this tragedy will continue.
Why? Because the reproductive rate of cats and dogs is enormous. Since 1955, Pet Assistance Foundation has been referring concerned pet owners to cooperating Southern California veterinarians who offer low cost sterilization.
Through our network of volunteers, we are here to assist you in joining countless other caring cat and dog owners in Southern California who already have taken responsibility for the future by altering their pets.
We are here to help you understand that:
- No female dog or cat need have even a single litter. Veterinarians recommend spaying them before they come into heat, as a precaution against reproductive cancers. Puppies and kittens can be altered as early as 8 weeks of age.
- Cats should be spayed by the age of five months. Dogs should be spayed before six months of age. Spaying after the first heat can cost more.Male dogs and cats do not lose their masculinity when altered. They are happier, healthier, and better companions. They are less frustrated, less inclined to roam or run away, and will never develop prostate tumors. Male dogs and cats should be altered by 6 to 7 months of age, if not sooner. Male dogs and cats do not lose their masculinity when altered. They are happier, healthier, and better companions. They are less frustrated, less inclined to roam or run away, and will never develop prostate tumors. Male dogs and cats should be altered by 6 to 7 months of age, if not sooner.
- Cats and dogs do not get “fat and lazy” after altering. Obesity is caused by overfeeding and insufficient exercise.
- You will never regain the cost of your “purebred” dog if you breed her and care for her properly. The average cost of rearing a litter of puppies to an adoptable age of 8 to 12 weeks, along with the prenatal and post-natal veterinarian services, far exceed any profit you will earn.
- A dog or cat in heat or pregnant can be spayed. There is no reason to bring unwanted puppies and kittens into the world when eight out of ten pets are killed because there are no homes.
- If you illustrate the “miracle of birth” with a litter of kittens or puppies, you are lying to your children. What kind of miracle is it that condemns 300,000 loving pets to death each year?
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Winter 2014 Newsletter (zipped file: 157mb)
Fall 2014 Newsletter (PDF: 1.1mb)
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We’re Here to Help
In our sixty years of pioneering work in animal welfare, we have learned that three key elements are needed to end the massive slaughter of healthy, loving, adoptable animals:
Low Cost Sterilization—The backbone of our effort to curtail the breeding of unwanted cats and dogs is our system of Spay/Neuter Hotlines. Depending on need and the programs available, we will:
- Refer callers to vets who offer special low pricing to our clients.
- Provide information on coupons or vouchers offered by the city or county.
- Provide information on special programs from other humane societies.
- Give subsidies to pet guardians who demonstrate financial need.
Our hotline facilitates the spay or neuter of thousands of dogs, cats and rabbits in Southern California each year.
Spay/Neuter Hotlines
Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and
Orange Counties: 1-877-SPAY PET or 1-877-772-9738
Victor Valley: 1-760-247-5312
San Diego County: 1-855-738-7349
Education—People need to be made aware of the enormity of the problem. Every litter adds to the surplus, every puppy and kitten counts. PAF volunteers interact with Southern California residents on a daily basis through our hotlines, online presence, and adoption programs. We have also provided humane education presentations in Los Angeles schools, and hope to expand this program in the future.
Legislation—Across the country, concerned animal advocates are adopting laws and policies to support responsible pet 
guardianship and fight pet overpopulation. The issues can be complex and are often vehemently opposed by those who profit from breeding, but they are becoming increasingly accepted because THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. While concerned pet owners will do the right thing without legislation, the irresponsible and uncaring will not. Good legislation provides the tools needed to stop the excessive breeding of pets that no community can support. Pet Assistance President Wendy Aragon has consulted on the design of numerous Southern California ordinances targeting pet overpopulation, and PAF works hard to get them passed. Be sure to sign up for our e-blasts to be notified of pending legislation that needs your support.
Adoptions
Our Long Beach and South Bay Branches host adoption events in several local Petcos. Click here for more information.