Why should you spay or neuter your pet? Besides preventing unwanted births which contribute to our huge overpopulation problem, resulting in the euthanasia of 60,000 pets every year in Maricopa County, spaying or neutering also prevents cancer and a variety of other health concerns.

Cancer

Neutering male cats and dogs completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of perianal and prostate cancers.

Spaying female cats and dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.

Spaying can also prevent mammary gland tumors, the most common tumor in unspayed female dogs and the third most common tumor in cats. They are more common in dogs than in humans. A high percentage of mammary tumors are cancerous: in dogs, nearly 50%; in cats, nearly 90%. Once a cancerous mammary tumor spreads to the bones or lungs, the cancer will be fatal.

The risk of cancer in animals with Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) is quite high. Risk of testicular cancer increases tenfold, and tumors occur in about 50% of dogs with this condition. Additional risks include hernia (protrusion and/or rupture), torsion (cord wraps around the testicle cutting off blood flow, very painful and life-threatening), and infarction (loss of oxygen and blood, resulting in tissue death with risk of gangrene and other infections, life-threatening). The undescended testicle can continue to increase in size, causing an inability to urinate or defecate. Neutering him will remove these risks.

Cancer treatment is very costly and time-consuming, and life expectancy is reduced. Repeated anesthesia for biopsies and other tests adds another level of threat to the health and life of the animal.

Other Health and Safety Hazards

Besides cancer, spaying and neutering reduces many other health and safety hazards. FIV is spread through sex and deep bite wounds which are usually associated with mating or territorial fighting of unsterilized cats. Both cats and dogs are at risk for other sexually-transmitted diseases if left intact.

Yowling and spraying by cats, marking and "humping" by dogs, are behaviors of unsterilized animals. These behaviors often lead to abuse by frustrated owners or neighbors. Spaying and neutering greatly reduces these tendencies.

An unaltered animal is often more aggressive and high-strung, will have wanderlust and increased risk of being lost. Fighting, getting hit by a car, meeting with cruel people, suffering from hunger and exposure, and breeding are just some of the dangers a lost animal faces.

Some people feel that it's somehow diminishing to their manhood to neuter a dog or cat. Yet it's this very thinking that has the country in crisis, where more than 16,000 animals are killed in shelters in this country, every day! It's an uncaring attitude toward a beloved pet and friend, to not want to provide the best health possible for him.

The bottom line is that spaying and neutering saves lives!

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics

Please visit our Clinics page for low-cost spay/neuter options, or consider one of the County programs below.

Maricopa County programs

Uno Por Uno events (several free clinics) can be found at http://www.unoporuno.org/upcoming_events.asp

Neuter Scooter schedule (sometimes free clinics) is shown at http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/news/calendar.aspx

Subscribe to their Press Releases so that you'll be notified of upcoming clinics at http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/News/News.aspx

Pet Pleasers

Serving the East Valley from Tempe to East Mesa/Gilbert. Overnights available. Phone 480-898-8622.
This is one of our favorites, having used their services for years! The animals just love them! And the owners feel 100% confident that the pets are in the best of hands.

Sue's Pet Friends

Serving Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee and Gilbert. Find them on the web at www.suespetfriends.com. Phone 480-628-6958 or email sueserrands@cox.net

Phan (Fawn) Y-Nhi

A personal favorite of a couple of our volunteers. Phone 480-570-9310

Persian Palace Grooming and Boarding

Cat boarding short term $15.00/day, long term - negotiable. Pet sitting - $25.00 a day 2 visits/per day. Servicing Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa area. Other areas negotiable. Phone 480-722-1642

Pilots N Paws

http://pilotsnpaws.org/

Flying Paws

http://www.flyingpaws.org/

Pet Airways

http://petairways.com

SkyArk

http://www.skyark.org/

Animal Rescue Flights

http://www.animalrescueflights.org/

Petfinder's 2010 Most Pet-Friendly U.S. Airlines

Petfinder releases an annual list of Pet-Friendly Airlines to help pet parents on-the-go choose how best to take their pet with them or decide that a better option may be to have someone care for them at home. You can read Petfinder's 2010 Most Pet-Friendly Airlines suggestions at http://www.petfinder.com/your-pet-and-you/2010-pet-friendly-airlines.html

Scrub-A-Dub Doggie

Mobile grooming. Serving the East Valley. 480-380-1079
Another ALF favorite, having used their services for years!

Happy Tails

Mobile pet grooming serving Maricopa, Chandler, Sun Lakes and Casa Grande. Happy Tails offers professional grooming of your dog or cat including bathing, drying, ear cleaning, nail filing and a myriad of hairstyles. Happy Tails always uses high quality shampoos and products. Phone 520-494-7766 or email maricopahappytails@gmail.com

Persian Palace Grooming and Boarding

Cat grooming $40.00. Phone 480-722-1642

Shelly's Pet Grooming

All breed grooming by caring professionals. Dogs only. Open 7 days a week. 1711 E Guadalupe, Tempe. Phone 480-730-5133

Since dogs and cats became domesticated pets, the pet food industry has grown to a multi-billion dollar business. While in the wild, animals have the opportunity to hunt, thereby providing a natural diet of real protein and other nutrients. Feeding a captive animal is much more convenient for the average pet owner when manufactured, pre-packaged meals are available. But are these meals really healthy? Many ingredients found in common pet foods are not only indigestible, but may also be detrimental to your pet's health.

For instance, did you know that corn is quite unhealthy for cats? Yet it's often the first ingredient found when reading a pet food label. That's because it's an inexpensive "food" that can be added as filler, in order to boost profits. Corn can irritate the bowel, spike insulin levels leading to diabetes, and cause allergies. What's more, often the ingredients used in your pet's food are considered unfit for human consumption. Many of the "meat" products found in pet food contain parts of the carcass that animals typically leave behind when eating their prey. Items such as heads, hooves, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, and these processed foods may even contain diseased and cancerous animal parts.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides definitions for all ingredients found on a pet food label.

Below are some articles worth looking into, including some of those AAFCO definitions:

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359
http://www.barkleyandpaws.com/Cats/Nutrition/Cat_food_ingredients_you_should_avoid_200903082298/
http://cats.about.com/od/catfoodglossary/Cat_Food_Glossary_AAFCO_Definitions_of_Cat_Food_Ingredients.htm

Sunflower Pet Supply

Many ALF volunteers feed their pets natural or organic, premium foods from Sunflower Pet Supply. Healthier foods means healthier pets, resulting in fewer trips to the vet. Sunflower is also an ALF supporter, so please mention us when you shop. They are located at 1840 E Warner Rd. Ste.131, in Tempe, or on the web at Sunflower Pet Supply.

Pet Food Banks

Animal Guardian Network
Lost Our Home Pet Foundation

Dr. Jamie Schmidt

LifeCare Animal Hospital in Chandler. A full-service practice, personally recommended by ALF. Find them on the web at http://www.lifecareah.com/. Phone 480-895-7800

Dr. Karen Lyons

Desert Mobile Veterinary Services. A housecall practice for the East Valley emphasizing holistic care, personally recommended by ALF. Phone 480-497-6362

Emergency Vets

Emergency Animal Clinic, in Gilbert.
http://www.azvs.com/ 480-497-0222

VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona (ARECA), in Mesa.
http://www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/animal-referral-arizona 480-898-0001

Injured Strays

Many emergency animal clinics will allow you to relinquish an injured stray animal. Please call ahead to inquire. Check our emergency clinic listings above.

The Arizona Humane Society offers low-cost services, and also operates a fleet of "ambulances" for pets through their Emergency Animal Medical Techinician (EAMT) service. Phone 602-997-7585 ext. 2073 for emergencies for injured strays, or visit their website at http://azhumane.org/. See the Programs & Services menu for the EAMT program, or Spay/Neuter & Wellness menu for low-cost services for your owned pets.

Arizona Veterinary Medical Association

For additional veterinary resources, including links for mobile vets, holistic and other specialties, visit http://www.azvma.org/

There are many reasons to vaccinate your pets against disease. While baby animals receive nutrients and antibodies from their mother's milk, once they are weaned, they'll need protection. Dog parks are easy ways for your pet to pick up diseases from other dogs, and feces left on the ground. Cats who are allowed to roam outdoors may breed or fight with other cats who have the disease, or drink stagnant water which can cause intestinal distress.

It's important to realize that vaccinations do not provide immediate immunity. Vaccinations are given to protect the vaccinated animal, not others they're around. Some vaccinations may provide protection for many years, or may last a lifetime. The decision to continue vaccinations beyond the first year or two of life depends on local laws, and your pet's unsupervised outside activities or exposure to other animals. If your pets are boarded, they'll probably be required to be current on vaccinations. Vaccinations do not come without risk. ALF urges all pet owners to make educated decisions for each pet's needs.

Below are some great resources for obtaining low-cost vaccinations. Also visit our Clinics page for low-cost spay/neuter clinics which may also provide this service.

Arizona Pet Resort

Walk-in low cost vaccination clinic. Thursday from 4-7pm. 480-966-1580. http://azpetresort.homestead.com/

PawsPlus (formerly Vetco) at Petco Stores

http://www.pawsplus.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/

Vaccination Station

This is a roving clinic, providing services at host stores and events. http://www.thevaccinationstation.com/

Maricopa County programs

Uno Por Uno events (several free clinics) can be found at http://www.unoporuno.org/upcoming_events.asp

Neuter Scooter schedule (sometimes free clinics) is shown at http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/news/calendar.aspx

Subscribe to their Press Releases so that you'll be notified of upcoming clinics at http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/News/News.aspx

In-Home Euthanasia

Saying goodbye at home offers your pet a less stressful transition, and can allow you to grieve privately. Check the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association site above to find a veterinarian who provides this service, or see the listing below.

Dr. Christina Home Euthanasia

Choosing in-home euthanasia allows your pet to feel more relaxed and at peace. You will be more comfortable as well. Visit http://doctorchristina.com/

Finding a Dead Animal

Many emergency animal clinics will accept a deceased animal without charge. Please call ahead to inquire, or be prepared to pay a fee to surrender the animal. Check our emergency clinic listings above.

If you prefer, you may contact one of the local agencies to pick up the animal's body. Be advised, that sometimes it can take days for them to remove the body, and it may never happen. For a current list of contacts by location, visit http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/FieldEnforcement/DeadAnimal.aspx

Cruelty to Animals

If you suspect cruelty to an animal, we urge you to report it immediately, and insist on an investigation. Bringing harm to feral cats, or subjecting any animal to neglect - including feral cats - is considered cruelty under Arizona law.

Az Revised Statute 13-2910 provides the protection, and violators can be found guilty of a Class 6 Felony or a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

This flyer from AzCATs contains information on the penalties, including jail time.

Read ARS 13-2910

In Maricopa County you should contact all of the following:

The Arizona Animal Welfare League Investigation Unit at 602-433-2000

The Sheriff's Pet Posse at 602-876-1681

Arizona Humane Society at 602-997-7586

and your city or local Police Department.

Visit The Arizona Humane Society and the LEAP Task Force (Law Enforcement for Animal Protection) websites for more information, including phone numbers for specific cities in Maricopa County.

For Domestic Violence Concerns Involving Animals

The following resources are available to help with domestic violence:

The Arizona Humane Society Project Safehouse 602-997-7585 x134

Arizona Supreme Court's Domestic Violence Information Page

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) First Strike program 1-888-213-0956

Articles and Agencies for other states

Good Dog Agility

A dog agility training and show club in the East Valley cities (Chandler, Mesa). www.gooddog.org