Offer Shelter Animals a Safe and Loving Home
Cats/Kittens
All are spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter. They are feline leukemia tested, given shots (series of 3 for kittens), have rabies vaccine/tag or coupon at SVHS vet.
We have many colors and ages to choose from. Visit us to see these lovely kitties and take one home.
$80 adoption fee for all cats and kittens. $10 additional fee if you want optional microchipping. Cash or check only.
Dogs
All are spayed or neutered They are given 5 in 1 shots, heartworm tested, rabies shot, heartworm preventive given monthly. All dogs are microchipped before leaving the shelter.
Puppies
All are spayed or neutered before leaving shelter They are given at least one 5 in 1 shot (Series of 3), rabies shot or coupon given, heartworm preventive given at 4 months. All puppies are microchipped before leaving the shelter.
$160 adoption fee for all dogs and puppies. Cash or check only.
What Does “Spay” and “Neuter” Really Mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases, the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size and health he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or overnight. Depending on the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss the best age to have your pet done.
Spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost that is relatively small when compared to the benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
* Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer and healthier lives.
* Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the number of health problems that can be very expensive and difficult to treat.
* Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer. It greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
* Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
* Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
* Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrous lasts an average of six to twelve days, often twice a year in dogs. Estrous in cats lasts an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year.
* Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior and attract unwanted male animals with discharge.
* Spaying and neutering make pets less likely to bite.
* Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those who have been spayed or neutered.
* Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away or get into fights.
* Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted cats and dogs.
* Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
* Stray and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery and needs.
* Stray animals scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
* Stray dogs will form a pack and will attack wildlife, farm animals, and children.
Facts and Myths about Spaying and Neutering
Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners overfeed them and don't give them enough exercise.
Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.
Fact: Spaying or neutering doesn't affect a dog's natural instinct to protect the home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
Fact: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
Fact: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, the animal's age, your veterinarian's fee, and a number of other variables. Whatever the actual price, spay or neuter is a one-time cost. It is a relatively small cost when you factor in all the benefits. Having a litter of puppies and ensuring the health of both mother and offspring can be very expensive, especially if there are any complications. Even without complications, two months of pregnancy and two months until the puppies are weaned can add to the cost of food. Most importantly, it's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.
Fact: You may find homes for all your pet's litter. However, each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. In less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created one litter and one pet at a time.
Fact: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats — mixed breed and purebred.