I was going to adopt a kitten at the shelter but?

Question

I filled out the application and asked me other pets I have at home and if they're neutered or not and I put down I have a only one dog - a female Chihuahua that is not neutered. They wouldn't allow me to adopt a female Siamese kitten!! I understand and agree that people should fix their pets in order to avoid reproducing but what?? A chihuahua and a cat are not going to reproduce!! Anyone else find this ridiculous? How does the animal shelter expect people to adopt their pets with these rules?

They told me if I want to adopt the kitten I have to neuter my chihuahua. I just don't see the point of wasting $200 bucks and put my dog through pain by neutering if it's not going to make a difference.

My chihuahua is female by the way and the kitten was also a female. My chihuahua isn't going to reproduce because she isn't exposed to any other dogs and she is the only dog I can and will have.

Answer 1

A lot of shelters do cheap spay and neuter clinics, so you can probably get it done under $100 for your Chi (tell me what state you're in and I'll find you the info)

If I were you, I would really consider it because it does make a difference. Spayed and neutered animals live longer, happier, and much healthier lives. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adopt_spayneuter This site has some helpful information about it.

Also, thank you for considering adoption. These animals need homes like any other, and money that goes to the shelters is a good cause.

PS Neutering dogs does NOT "make them mean", the person below us down there obviously is a child or doesn't know a thing about dogs. It is a health issue, people that care about their animals do it out of love...think if your dog gets an infection that could have been prevented by spaying-- wouldn't you feel pretty bad about that infection being your fault? Not to mention...mean dogs have mean owners. Neutering and spaying actually make dogs calmer...

Answer 2

There's an over population of dogs and cats. You should be responsible and neuter your animals. You don't know if some intact male dog will make it into your house/backyard/get hold of your dog at a park and inpregnate her when she's in heat. Siamese cats have very strong personalites. Female animals in general want to be the top "queen". I could envision a Chihuahua(not a breed known for being laid back)in heat and an adult siamese female at some time in the future, ending up seriously injured, or perhaps a dead chihuahua. Responsible shelters would never knowingly turn over an animal to a situation that could be dangerous for both animals. You did the right thing by being honest and telling the truth. As the other person said, leaving animals intact can cause them to get cancer, so neuter your dog. Think carefully and honestly about how many animals you can afford to take to the vet when they need care, not at your convenience. Consider if your Chihuahua is going to be at war with another animal for the rest of their lives. Maybe being turned down, is for the best. You can always go to shelters and do some volunteering --- sharing your time with cats & kittens. It will also expose you to why shelters have strict rules. I used to think it was ridiculous that they wouldn't let you go into rooms on your own to visit prospective kittens, and the way they made you wash your hands. Then I adopted an amazing kitten who ended up coming to us with a fatal disease --- was probably born with it. It was heartbreaking. We spent a fortune trying to cure him, then found out the most humane thing to do would be to have him put to sleep. That experience totally changed my attitude about all those rules that seemed crazy.

Answer 3

Those are the rules. Either you go with it or you don't.

What they're telling you (especially a shelter) all pets should be neuter or spayed.

Did they give a reason for their request that you have your dog spayed? They must have given you some kind of explanation.

I'm trying to picture a female dog going into heat and then theres the cat. This could get real complicated. Don't think it costs $200.00 to have your dog spayed. Although I could be wrong on that.

You could always go to a pet shop and buy a kitten there. They probably wouldn't ask the same questions. Is that what you really want though. I don't go into pet shops that sell dogs or cats. I don't even want to look at them, because I pretty well know where they came from.

So that's my say on the subject.

Answer 4

You should neuter your chihuahua anyway to stop him reproducing. There are far too many unwanted puppies in the world ... also it will make him calmer, less of a slave to his hormones and far less likely to get testicular cancer.

How come you didn't ask them why they insisted on your dog being neutered? My guess is that he might pester the kitten for sex, different species or not - it does happen and the kitten's life would not be too pleasant.

Answer 5

The reason they don't want to give you the pet is exactly that you don't feel it is worth spending 200 dollars to spay your dog! They want to give the pets to responsible pet owners, and what they mean by responsible is owners who will make sure their pets don't suffer the sexual frustration of being in heat all the time, who don't risk their animals to die of pyometra and who will not contribute to the unwanted animals problem by risking their animals reproducing. They know your dog will not reproduce with your cat, but you must have a more responsible attitude.

Answer 6

Well..actually nuetering has it's benefits. fitst of all just nuetered males make a quick recovery. Nuetered males are more layed back. Unnuetered males may mount your cat for dominance. He may be a bit more aggresive to the cat if he isnt nuetered. Nuetered males are less likely to run away and get hit by some truck while charging toward the closest female dog he can find. Nuetered males are no longer prone to testical cancer.

I hope that will convince you to do the right thing and SPAY AND NUETER!

Answer 7

neutering/spaying has lots of benefits, and the pain is minimal. Dogs heal quiickly.. within a few days they are back to normal.

Did you know that an intact female dog can get serious uterine infections? One is called pyometra.. its fatal if untreated! Only treatment is to spay and put on antibiotics. I would prefer to spay my dogs while they are healthy, rather than do it out of a neccessity.

Answer 8

The people at these shelters volunteer their time to these animals to feed them, care for them, get them medical treatment, then foot the bill. You have an in-tact animal at home. Do you know how many homeless animals are out there? Maybe you should go back to the shelter and take a good look. All it takes is your dog getting out once and it can get pregnant. Then it falls in the laps of people trying to find them homes. There just plain arent enough good homes out there. The shelter sounds like they are following up with their applications. Good for them. They'd rather deny you and loose whatever money for that animal than risk sending one home with you. They're not out to make money, just to make sure their animals get good homes that ARENT GOING TO MAKE MORE ANIMALS. period. Your attitude on this subject is clearly out of line.

Answer 9

First off, you spay females and neuter males. I'm not sure why they wont let you adopt, usually it is only if you have the same species. I would never neuter my dog, it can make them mean. I find it completely ridiculous. You want to give these animals a good home, but they wont let you take them home. My animal shelter makes you sign a paper saying you will get teh animal fixed when it gets a certain age. This may be unethical, but why dont you just go apply again and say your animal is spayed? I dont think they are going to go check. But if you do get a cat, you really do need to go get her spayed or him neutered. There are way to many strays in this country. And getting one from the shelter adn not getting it fixed isnt helping the problem.

Answer 10

Right or wrong, the shelter's main concern and promotion to the public is to reduce over population of the animals that's why.
However, illogical it may seem, they still have to stick with what they encourage and promote.