Tennyson, as pet owners do right by their animals and get them the vaccines that can keep their dogs healthy, Dr. Young says, “it is responsible pet ownership to spay or neuter one’s animals. 80 percent of dogs hit by cars are intact males.”
When should a person get their puppy or kitty neutered? Dr. young recommends between 8-16 weeks. He writes on his website, “having started prepubertal neutering in 1990, I have been on the cutting edge of this field in veterinary medicine. I speak about and teach spay/neuter technique nationally and internationally and would be considered an expert on prepubertal sterilization by any standard. Tod ate I have personally sterilized over 160,000 dogs and cats which includes 25,000 early age sterilizations. Under the right set of circumstances I will do surgery on 3-4 week old animals. I certainly would consider a 6-8 week old animal a routine surgery, but I prefer the animals to be 8-16 weeks of age. The advantage to 8-166 week old animals usually is that they have had some vaccinations (better immunity), are in better body condition and can still get all the benefits of early age sterilization. It is becoming mandatory for humane organizations to sterilize all adoption animals prior to placing them in households. Sterilization at 6-8 weeks to be the norm. under shelter conditions. More
veterinarians and humane groups are going to early age neutering because it is clear win/win situation for all parties involved. I strongly recommend all pet owners to sterilize their companion animals between 8-16 weeks of age and believe it is unethical for any humane organization to adopt prior to sterilization.”
Just north of Planned Pethood Plus on Tennyson Street, Dr. Young’s wife, Janet runs the pet store and adoption center, Planet Pethood. In addition to collars, leashes, pet bedding and high quality foods for cats and dogs, people seeking dogs or cats can adopt them at Planet Pethood. After years as a veterinary technician at Planned Pethood, Janet found herself taking in abused or neglected animals, treating them, and finding them new homes. Soon she had her own small scale rescue, but wanted to do more for the many animals who needed her help so she created “Planet Pet.” the shop is a small and inviting retail space where people can adopt a dog or cat an get all the supplies they need. When purchasers buy items at the shop the Youngs put 50 percent of the profits back into the rescue side of the operation.
Planet Pethood sponsors the Pet of the Week that has allowed us all to enjoy the stories of the pets and the people who love them in our neighborhood.
