A fertile dog can produce an average of two litters in one year. The average number of puppies in a canine litter is six to ten. Research indicates that one unsterilized female dog and her surviving offspring and their surviving offspring can produce more than 500 puppies in seven years. Unsterilized cats are even more problematic.
Free and low-cost sterilization (spay/neuter) clinics are the key to controlling street dog and cat populations in underserved areas. Providing vaccinations reduces the spread of disease among homeless dogs and cats. These clinics, which can be held over several days in one central location that is easily accessible to the local population, provide an opportunity to sterilize hundreds of dogs and cats at one event. When fewer puppies and kittens are born in a region, there is a significant reduction in sickness, starvation, fighting, and competition for food — resulting in a more humane existence for the the existing street dog and cat populations. There is also less drain on the resources and morale of local rescue groups.
Accordingly, Street Dog Love’s primary mission is to fund free and low-cost sterilization (spay/neuter) clinics by working with local, on-the-ground rescue groups. Participation by members of the local community, who could not otherwise afford the cost of sterilizing a pet, also helps reduce the street dog and cat population. Currently, we are funding clinics in the Yucatan Peninsula region of Mexico — and we hope to expand into the southern United States as we grow.
Please take a look at our clinic timeline here.