FERGUS FALLS — Did you know 10 million animals enter overcrowded shelters every year? And the majority of all litters are not planned? Getting to the root of pet overpopulation starts with education and an understanding of the importance of spaying and neutering every animal in your care, including “barn cats.” Adoption numbers are down while surrenders and strays are up.
If you would like to have your pet altered but cannot afford it, the Humane Society of Otter Tail County has a spay/neuter assistance program. For those who financially qualify, the prevent a litter (PAL) program provides a voucher to reduce the cost of the procedure with area veterinarians who partner with the humane society. Stop by the shelter for more information or visit www.humanesocietyotc.org/pal to submit an application.
Cats can go into heat and get pregnant by four months and dogs can get pregnant by five months. In just one year an unaltered female dog or cat and their offspring can reproduce 19 additional puppies and/or kittens. And if that cycle continues, their offspring will reproduce 2,048 additional dogs or cats in four years. Over five years, they would bring an additional 11,801 animals into this world.
It’s important to talk with your veterinarian and make a plan as early as possible to have your dog or cat fixed. Studies show that animals who have been spayed or neutered have fewer behavioral problems and an 85% lower risk of disease and certain types of cancers and are less likely to wander.
Aluminum cans are another way to help shelter animals. You can either bring them directly to the recycling center and tell them you wish to give the proceeds to the HSOTC or you can neatly bag them and drop them in their can shed on the side of the building.
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Lastly, as spring litters ramp up around the county, the shelter will soon be in need of more cat food and cat litter, which can be dropped off at the shelter during their regular business hours at 1933 W. Fir Ave. in Fergus Falls. The humane society goes through 6,500 pounds of cat litter every year.
