Dear Editor,
Snip and Tuck, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that raises the much-needed funds for spaying and neutering the pets of low-income veterans, low income seniors and anyone who otherwise can’t afford it. Why? After working with a local non-profit, I came to realize just how many dumped, abandoned, unwanted and abused dogs and cats there are that are filling our rescues and shelters. I felt that something really big needed to happen. Upon researching this problem to learn all I could, I found out that because of one unspayed cat, up to 120,000 kittens can be born in a six-year period. Because of one unspayed dog, up to 67,000 puppies can be born within a seven-year period! Absolutely staggering! Did your mouth drop? Well, it’s true. I was skeptical until I did the math. Let me help you believe. One cat can produce three litters a year starting at the age of six months.
• 1 cat X 3 litters with
an avg of 6 kittens per litter = 18 kittens.
• Avg of ½ are female = 9 female kittens.
• That is year 1 ½.
• 9 kittens start producing at the age of 6 months with an
avg of 6 kittens per litter = 54 kittens 3 times per year = 162 kittens, ½ of
which are female = 81 female kittens.
• That is year 3
• 81 females producing an avg of 6 kittens per litter = 486
kittens three times per year = 1,458 kittens, ½ of which are female = 729
female kittens.
• That is year 4 ½.
• 729 female kittens start producing at the age of 6 months
with an avg of 6 kittens per litter = 4,374 kittens three times per year =
13,122 kittens ½ of which are female = 6,561 female kittens.
• That is year 6.
• 6,561 female kitten start producing at the age of 6 months
with an avg of 6 kittens per litter = 39,366 kittens three times per year =
118,098 kittens, ½ of which are female.
• That is year 7 ½.
• This does not include the un-neutered males that will be
running around helping to create more kittens.
• Need I go on?
Dogs on average have less in their litters and don’t
reproduce as often as cats do. That’s why their numbers are lower, but 67,000
dogs? Statistics state that more than 65% of the 67,000 pups born will be
abandoned, abused, or will end up in our already overcrowded rescues and animal
shelters. The percentage for cats is higher. Over four million cats and dogs
are euthanized every year.
This has to stop somewhere! Snip and Tuck, Inc. and its hard working, animals loving volunteers are going to do everything in their power to spread this news and raise money to pay for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. Snip and Tuck will also be helping our local rescues like H.A.L.T. (Helping Animals Lives Today) and Mutt Matchers to name a few, with the funding to spay and neuter their rescues and recoveries if they need a hand as our funds become available. Unfortunately, we realize that we will never be able to stop it all, but it takes all of us working together to hopefully put a huge dent in this problem. Snip and Tuck can be contacted at 928-727-0068. We realize that these numbers are based on perfect conditions and perfect conditions don’t always happen…..but they can.
Connie Allen
Golden Valley
