There are many misconceptions concerning spaying and neutering cats and dogs.

 Will spaying or neutering cause my pet to become lazy and overweight?

Not necessarily. Heredity, diet and how much and what type of exercise a pet receives have more influence on its weight and attitude than the surgery.

 Is the surgery dangerous to my pet?

There is always some risk while a patient is under general anesthesia, whether the patient be human or animal. Veterinary procedures are similar to human medical procedures. The risk is small in healthy animals.

 Does spaying or neutering make animals less protective?

Any changes brought about by spaying or neutering are generally positive. Neutered male cats usually stop territorial spraying. Neutered dogs and cats tend to fight less and are less likely to become lost due to straying from home in search of a mate.

 Should I wait until my pet matures or has a litter?

Many state veterinary associations endorse early sterilization, although some veterinarians remain skeptical about long-term effects. These concerns include stunted growth, obesity and behavioral changes. Unease also stems from a lack of familiarity with performing anesthesia and surgery on smaller, younger animals.

A recent study by the American Humane Assn. determined there are no increased health risks related to early sterilization procedures. When the operation is done at a younger age, the procedure takes less time and the pet recovers more rapidly. Research also has failed to show an increase of physical or behavioral problems after the surgery.

The best age for spaying or neutering is around 6 months. The first heat cycle in a female pet usually occurs around this time. Spaying a pet before her first heat cycle reduces the risk of mammary tumors and cancer.

Neutering a pet prevents many undesirable behavior patterns. It is always easier to prevent these behavior patterns than to correct them.

Probably the best reason for spaying or neutering a cat or dog is that every hour in the United States more than 2,000 dogs and 3,500 cats are born, compared with 415 humans. That equals more than 17 million dogs and 30 million cats every year. When added to existing animal populations, the total number of dogs and cats exceeds 1 billion.

Each year across the United States, approximately 5 million homeless cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. Although many of these animals are healthy and adoptable, the sheer number outweighs the availability of good homes.

Millions more cats and dogs never even make it to shelters. They are abandoned by their guardians, breed uncontrollably and ultimately die from starvation, disease, exposure or some other human-inflicted cruelty.

The bottom line is that pet owners are responsible for their animal’s well-being.

Spaying and neutering is vital to a pet’s health and happiness  just like routine physical examinations, good nutrition, grooming, exercise and love.

 Midge Grinstead is executive director of the Lawrence Humane Society. She can be reached at lawhumane@ljworld.com.