Baxter's Buddies Rescue

Spay / Neuter Policy

Those that wish to adopt a dog through Baxter’s Buddies Rescue must understand that we, BBR, must have guidelines that are met by the adopter. To qualify for adoption an applicant must pass an application review and also meet the criteria that all dogs and cats in the household are spayed or neutered. This requirement does not apply to smaller domestic pets.

Statistically 50% of all animals that are turned into shelters are euthanized with some being given or sold to research labs. This does not count the number of animals that are euthanized upon arrival to the shelter because of injury, aggression or illness. Shelters cannot handle the influx of animals they see daily so rescue does their best to help pull animals, but where one is pulled, 20 never find a home. The only way to stop the number of animals euthanized is to educate the public with the need to spay and neuter and to stop irresponsible breeding.

Therefore, BBR’s goal is to educate the public in the overpopulation crisis and take a firm stand on the spay/neuter issue by requiring all dogs and cats in the household be spayed or neutered before we can approve an applicant to adopt one of our dogs. We realize that some people are unaware of the seriousness of homeless and unwanted pets and may have an unaltered animal. We determine “why” they have an unaltered animal, and if it is within our allowance guidelines, we will approve the home for adoption (providing the rest of the application is approved.)

The only exceptions that would allow us to adopt to a home with an unaltered animal are as follows:

•	The dog is being actively shown for their championship.
•	The dog has gained its championship and is being bred - BBR does not have a problem with responsible breeders who breed to “better the breed.”
•	The dog has health issues where neutering is not recommended because anesthesia may cause complications. - A note from the Veterinarian must be shown as documentation.
•	The dog is too young to be neutered. (pups can be safely neutered at 6 months old). A female spayed before her first season will reduce her chances of mammary cancer almost 100%).

We hear many people say they don’t spay or neuter their pet for many reasons. Spaying and neutering does not make an animal gain weight or become lazy. Once the neutering happens, the hormones subside and the animal is calmer and more relaxed, but by maintaining the same amount of exercise and by monitoring the food you should not see a weight gain. Males become more tolerant and will not be aggressive nor have the desire to roam. Spaying and neutering greatly reduces the risk of cancer in the female, (mammary and uterine) as well as pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, and in the male greatly reduces testicular cancer. The younger the dog is neutered the lower the risk of these diseases.

Please understand that our goal is to adopt our dogs to homes that understand how important it is to be responsible by helping us break the cycle of unwanted pets. Therefore we must abide by our policy and only adopt to those homes that understand the importance of neutering all dogs and cats in the household and to be a responsible pet owner who understands and will help correct and educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats that will never be bred so it will stop the accidental breeding of animals that contributes to the over population of dogs and cats in our society.

Adapted from CCDR

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