They’re friendly, fiercely loyal and lovable — just like their brothers. However, female pups and kittens from rescued litters frequently get left behind at shelters and adoption drives. They lose the opportunity to find homes and human companions due to the misconception that they are difficult to look after. This is baseless, feels Gopi Shankar, senior management member of CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) who dotes on his four rescued female Indian dogs. “I find female dogs are very much like daughters — very affectionate and sensitive,” he says. Gopi reveals that they’re easy to handle, particularly during treatment, medication, or even simple tasks like bathing or walking, and finds that the issue of “littering” is easily solved by getting them spayed by a good vet when they are ready.
Once spayed or neutered, there are no differences between male or female pets, as both experience the health benefits of this choice. For females, spaying prevents the reproductive cycle from beginning, and males become less likely to exhibit aggressive or territorial behaviour. “Both males and females enjoy a far better quality of life once sterilised: certain health risks are reduced, and many troublesome behavioural issues are solved. They settle into becoming contented, loving, healthy pets,” says Devika Khazvini, founder of Cattitude Trust.
Once you’ve decided to spay/neuter, how does one choose a vet? “Word of mouth is good. If people have good experiences with a vet for spay neuter, that is most encouraging,” says Devika. “The clinic should be clean, the vet should be informed and gentle, but firm about protocols. They should either offer good post-op care or explain in detail how to do it at home. If you’re taking an animal in for surgery and are not admitting him/her the previous day, I would say that the starvation rule (as per doctor’s orders) is crucial. People who feel sorry for their pets and feed them a snack before surgery are risking their lives. During post op care, hygiene and confinement are important, plus following up on any medication.”
NGOs like Let’s Live Together believe that adopting a homeless female pet and then spaying her is also an admirable choice for ethical reasons — it helps stop the population growth of homeless dogs, while simultaneously ensuring a safe haven for a pet that will reciprocate her human’s kindness in the years to come.
