Unspayed Female Dog’s Offspring Produces 7,776 Homeless Puppies

Visual Representation of Importance in Spay/Neuter Brings Sobering Results

It is easy to say that spay/neuter efforts are important, but the gravity of the situation is undeniable with a simple, but impactful, visual representation: 7,776 individual dried beans in a jar. This is the number of dogs that can be produced by a single unspayed female dog over the course of a five-year time span*.

One unspayed female dog and her offspring produce over 7,776 puppies over a period of 5 years.

When put into such a perspective, little else needs to be said about the pet overpopulation crisis in our world. The fact that more than 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters nationwide each year is a result of pet overpopulation.* 

Shelters are overcrowded and pets are left homeless every single day. Yavapai Humane Society urges pet guardians to do the right thing and get their dog or cat fixed, especially during February—National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month.

Not only does spay/neutering slow down the pet overpopulation cycle and prevent thousands of homeless animals, there are a number of beneficial results for you and your fur family member. Spay/Neutering often counteracts annoying behavior of pets in heat, such as howling, spraying, and the urge to roam. In addition, getting your pet fixed can keep your pet healthier and help prevent certain cancers. According to a USA Today report, neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs.

During the month of February, pet guardians will receive a $5 coupon towards a pet vaccination when they book a spay/neuter surgery appointment at Yavapai Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic (2989 Centerpointe East, Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86301; (928) 771-0547.

Call the YHS Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic to schedule an appointment (low-cost surgeries offered weekly by appointment Tuesdays through Thursdays). For information to commonly asked questions about spaying and neutering, visit www.yavapaihumane.org/clinic.

*Statistic of 7,776 puppies produced over the period of 5 years is factored on six female puppies per litter breeding every 12 months.