Contract Speutering?

This is probably going to be controversial, but I'm not trying to start any arguments so bear with me.

When I found BabyGirl and Jaws on the shelter website, I was told on the website and thru email that they would have to be speutered. Okay...Jaws is scheduled for neutering on March 9.

When I picked them up, I just signed a paper for the animal control stating that the dogs will be with me at my address--only basic contact information. No suggestions or papers about speutering, no contract, nada. Definitely not the impression that I got from the website.

I have my qualms about speutering, I know the pros and cons. Of all the dogs here, only Ruger is neutered and that is because he is my boyfriend's dog. It was his decision and he paid for the operation.

Now that I've had time to think about it, I really am not in favor of neutering Jaws. He's sexually mature and still not a problem besides his humping and erections, which likely won't subside as a result of neutering. I'm used to handling unspeutered dogs, so that is not a problem, either.

I guess somewhere in my mind, I know that I am not legally obligated to neuter Jaws, but I would like some input and maybe some support no matter what I decide to do.

If I said I was going to do it then I would do it.

If they find out you didn't do it after you said you would, they may be less inclined to give you another animal next time you want to save one.

Just a thought. When i adopted Lucy, they asked for spay/neuter records for any animal I had previously adopted through them.

Actually there are quite a few reasons to spay or neuter dogs you have no intentions of breeding or showing. Deal with an animal who has to have surgery for testicular or mammary cancer, just once. Waiting until an animal is mature, which he already is, is one thing. Planning to leave them intact just because is quite another.

The fact that you want to keep male and female mixes intact together is baffling to me. And knowing that, paper stating it or not, you were obligated to neuter and spay the dogs that a shelter released quite unwisely, yet want to disregard that speaks volumes. My local shelter doesn't have a line on the contract regarding neutering/spaying either, however it is known to all responsible adopters that it is required. They recently got around the worry of adopters being like yourselves, though, and changed the policy to not allowing any animal to leave the shelter with the adopter..instead, the shelter brings it to a vet clinic of the owner's choice, it is neutered or spayed, and then the owner picks the animal up that evening from the clinic.

Well, one. I didn't ever say that I would do it. I said that I could do it.

It seems odd that only the dogs found on the website are expected to be speutered, but someone coming from another avenue is not expected to speuter their adoptees.

A long time ago I adopted a puppy from a different shelter, and I signed speuter contract. They give you a form which you take to the vet, who then sends it back to the shelter. The same shelter adopts out sick animals.

I know of a shelter that speuters before releasing the animal....even the little puppies. I haven't adopted from there, but I have pointed out to them that some of their adoptable dogs were obviously sick.

I suppose this is an instance where I have to use my best instincts, my gut feelings, my knowledge and experience. I was reading the thread about the speuter debate, pros and cons....and it got me to thinking. What would really be in Jaw's best interest?

Step one: a new name

Step two: castration

Why would being in a house with other intact dogs, including females he would (I would hope) not be able to breed with be in his best interest? Just curious.

Step one.....Jaws is his new name. My son named him and I approved. And Jaws likes his name. He's a good looking pitty, great temperament. Whoever had him before did a wonderful job of raising him.

And I didn't say one way or the other about what is in his best interest. The situation here changes from time to time. Right now, Jaws is trying to make friends with the rescued Rottie. See upcoming thread on Zoey.

Naming that dog Jaws really is a telling act.

I'm done here.

*nod*

*sigh*

There are far too many animals coming through your place to have un-altered pets milling about.

All of those animals should be altered, ASAP.

I think with Jaws being a pit bull, the amount of dogs you get in and out that aren't neutered, and the fact you said you would neuter him, then you should neuter him. I think it IS in his best interest to be neutered.

I have a question though, are you keeping Jaws or just fostering him?

i think he should be neutered. especially with a female around that just had puppies.
the neutering does help with the humping/erections, it sure did with me 3 year old foster dog.

spaying/neutering is something i have always done to all my dogs, i dont show and i dont breed so why not?
i wouldnt neuter a purebred dog that early, since many times it causes them to not really fill out in my opinion, but i also do neuter at 1 year.
when i rescue, regardless of the contract, i know its my responsibility to spay/neuter. i know if i didnt the shelter wouldnt break down my door and demand to see my dog but is a matter of principle, i said i would do it so i do.

with a neutered and spayed dog, they are less likely be stolen since no1 can make any
$ off them by breeding them and selling pups, males are less likely to wander off looking for females in heat, it stops some annoying male behaviors, its stops the heat cycle in females (ive seen females where its barely noticable but some dogs its really obvious and gets on carpets and attracts male dogs) it will also stop marking in males

spayed/neutered dogs also can go to the dog park, dog events, ect//

especially for a pit, where some1 could make some money in selling puppies sired by jaws, fighting jaws, ect.. i would neuter him.

and at the shelter where you got jaws it does say..

You must agree to Spay or Neuter your new pet and provide proof to the shelter within 30 days.
This
requirement is NON-NEGOTABLE

trying to say this nicely, the dog has big Jaws. I like the name. I probably wouldn't have named him Petunia or something like that. Thank goodness we didn't notice his big penis first.

I named BabyGirl because, well, she is obviously female and resembles a lab PUPPY. She has a very babyish face. I almost named her Beretta....

There you go--seems pretty straight forward to me.

As I said, .....

And I meant, if I had simply called the shelter, arranged to come and look at the dogs, chosen one or two, ....the subject of neutering would never have been mentioned. And, the way it was, I did not sign any contract, receive any forms for the vet, or was not instructed in any way to speuter the dogs by the people who actually operate the shelter.
The website is operated only by a person who volunteers to take pictures and advertise the dogs.

Speutering is a big decision that cannot be undone. I can alway reschedule a speutering for later.

1. Jaws is a "pit bull". Woopteedoo. He might be an American Bulldog mix. He might be an AmStaff mix. He might be an ABT mix. Who really freakin' knows? I don't. And you don't.

All I know is that you are mightly proud of this dog's testicles and that's what bothers me. Your justification that he is a good looking dog with a great temperament is the same one I hear from bybs all day long....all month long....all year long.

Jaws is a rescue. Rescue dogs should be altered IMO. Not to mention that you took him on the premise of having him neutered and know your beating around the bush trying to find a loophole not to do so. People don't do this unless they have other intentions. Sorry, they just don't.

Have the dog neutered. Show you are not just a responsible owner, but one of her word as well. Otherwise you will get no respect.

How about this: How about one of us call that shelter, direct someone to these threads that show what's going on, and let them decide. Would that work?

BUT...you did know. I understand that some people might not have found out about the mandatory spay/neuter clause, but you did--and pretending you didn't and trying to justify your actions is just immature at best.

You took that dog knowing you were supposed to neuter him. Be the bigger person here, and go get your dogs fixed. Then tell the shelter they should add the clause to their adoption forms, to make their policies consistent They'll probably appreciate the advice.