By KRISTEN LEVINE
Tribune correspondent
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Pet owners have plenty of excuses for not having their dog or cat fixed.
“We can’t afford to.”
“Won’t it hurt?”
“I’ll get around to it, eventually.”
In this case, such procrastination has deadly consequences.
Every year, 8 million to 12 million animals are euthanized in the United States because there aren’t enough homes for them.
It’s basic economics: Supply exceeds demand. For unwanted dogs and cats, it’s the death sentence.
The good news is that spaying and neutering provide an alternative to overpopulation.
The tricky part is educating pet owners about the options.
Some national animal organizations set aside February to highlight the spay-neuter issue, and Bay area animal welfare agencies and veterinarians have followed suit.
Many offer low- or no-cost options to encourage owners to have their pets “fixed” in February, the height of cat breeding season in Florida.
Bay area animal shelters also are helping spread the word and offering solutions when affordability is a concern.
In addition to the obvious benefit — reducing pet overpopulation — spaying and neutering promotes good health and longevity for the animal and reduces potential behavior problems.
FAQs And Answers
The Doris Day Animal Foundation notes the top reason cat and dog guardians give for not having their pet altered is they simply have not bothered to do it.
If pet caretakers considered the amazing reproductive ability of cats and dogs, perhaps they would understand the urgency to fix their pets.
The Humane Society of the United States reports that two unaltered cats and all their descendents can theoretically number 420,000 in just seven years, and two unaltered dogs and all their descendents can theoretically number 67,000 in six years.
Another common reason for spay-neuter procrastination is a lack of understanding about the simple procedure.
The foundation hopes to get the word out during its Spay Day USA campaign. On Feb. 28, the goal is to spay or neuter at least 155,000 animals.
The foundation’s Web site (http://www.ddaf.org) offers answers to frequently asked questions about spaying and neutering. Here are excerpts:
Q. What is spaying? Neutering?
A. Spaying and neutering, the most common surgical procedures performed on animals, prevent animals from reproducing. When a female is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are removed. When a male is neutered, his testicles are removed.
Q. Does spaying or neutering hurt?
A. A general anesthetic is used during surgery so the surgery is painless. According to the online veterinary pharmacy VetCentric.com, “most cats will heal very easily and quickly,” and “most dogs show no signs of discomfort from the procedure.”
Most animals return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours after surgery.
Q. Does spaying and neutering provide other health benefits?
A. In cats and dogs, spaying greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents various reproductive-tract disorders. Neutering often resolves undesirable behaviors such as aggression, spraying and roaming and eliminates the risk of various testicular diseases.
Q. Doesn’t spaying and neutering make animals less protective?
A. Changes brought about by spaying or neutering are generally positive. Neutered male cats usually stop territorial spraying. Neutered dogs and cats tend to fight less and are less likely to become lost due to straying from home in search of a mate. Animals do not become less protective or loyal to their guardians.
Q. Is it really necessary to neuter males?
A. As the old saying goes, “it takes two to tango.” Even if you are very careful to keep your male pet under control at all times, accidents do happen and he may escape. And while a female cat or dog can only have one litter at a time, male animals can impregnate many females each day.
Q. When should I spay or neuter my pet?
A. Animals have traditionally been altered at 6 months, but many veterinarians are practicing pediatric spay/neuter surgery that can be performed on animals as young as 6 to 8 weeks.
Help Is Available
Here are some special spay-neuter programs available in the Bay area:
SPCA Tampa Bay: Free spay and neuter services will be available for the pets of Pinellas County residents on a limited income. Applications will be accepted in person, with a recent W-2 form, from Feb. 28 to March 3 at SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo.
The free service is limited to the first 100 eligible applicants. To qualify, household income must be $20,000 or less for one person, with the limit increasing by $5,000 for each additional person living in the household.
This month, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will act as a referral source for residents of Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco counties to low cost spay and neuter programs in those areas. Call (727) 586-3591 or go to http://www.spcatampabay.org.
Hillsborough County Animal Services: The county commission has initiated a spay and neuter rebate program to help low-income and indigent residents have their dogs and cats sterilized. Those who qualify receive a voucher and must pay $10 per animal. Call (813) 744-5660, or go to http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices, and click on “Programs and Services.”
Brooksville: Pet Luv Nonprofit Spay Center accepts anyone, regardless of residence or income. Cat procedures range from $20 to $25. Dog procedures range from $30 to $80 depending upon weight.
Pet Luv also offers rabies vaccinations for $5. Call (352) 799-9990.
Year-round: These programs offer spay and neuter assistance for families earning limited incomes.
•Humane Society of Tampa Bay, (813) 870-3304 or www. humanesocietytampa.org.
•Hillsborough County Spay-Neuter Voucher Program, (813) 744-5660 or http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
•Friends of Family Pets Program; SPCA Tampa Bay (Pinellas), (727) 586-3591 or www. spcatampabay.org.
•Pinellas Animobile, (727) 582-2600 or www. pinellascounty.org/animalservices.
•Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (Humane Society of Pinellas), (727) 797-7722 or http://www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org.
•Friends of Animals vouchers, 1-800-321-7387 or http://www.friendsofanimals.org.
Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688; fax at (727) 934-6451 or e-mail kristen@fechingcommunications.com.

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CRITTER CALENDAR
PEOPLE FOR PETS FAIR: Join animal rescue groups, trainers, groomers, pet care professionals and vendors at this free event. Animals on a leash are welcome, too. Adoptable pets will be available, and there will be dog and cat show, children’s activities and a pool party. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Community Center, 2010 Greenbriar Blvd., Clearwater. Call Jeff Krieger at (727) 736-1494.
BIRD-A-THON: Safe Haven Avian Placement Services is hosting a Bird-A-Thon from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in Largo. Parakeets, macaws and other birds will be available for adoption. If you are interested in adopting, go to http://www.safehavenfl.org to fill out an adoption application. Bring the application to the event as interviews will be conducted there. The Bird-A-Thon is at SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N. Call (727) 743-3161.
YAPPY HOUR: It’s a “happy hour” for you and your dog. All well-socialized, leashed pups are welcome. Yappy Hour offers adults (18 and older) a chance to mingle with other dog lovers and their pets. Gourmet treats and water are provided. Meet new friends, arrange play dates and get tips on the latest dog socializing trends. There’s a $5 cover charge. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth St. in Ybor City. Call (813) 248-4969.
“DEALING DOGS”: An HBO documentary, “Dealing Dogs,” airs at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Award-winning filmmakers Tom Simon and Sarah Teale go under cover to expose the abuse of animals at a kennel in Arkansas.
FOSTER A PET: Join SPCA Tampa Bay to learn pet foster training for families at 6 p.m. Tuesday at agency’s shelter in Largo. Pet foster parents take in puppies or kittens and care for them until they reach acceptable weight and age requirements for adoption. Some foster pets have special needs due to illnesses or injuries. A foster pet’s stay usually lasts several weeks. Volunteer responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, socializing and medicating. Call (727) 586-3591, Ext. 127.