Cats and Kittens

[Monica]

if there were any similarity there you would have to compare it to having your daughter sterilized so that she would not have the option of becoming pregnant.

I disagree. There isn't a contraception option for animals other than sterilization. So the bottom line is that if we want to avoid contributing to pet overpopulation, we have to sterilize them.

You touch on a facet of pets versus wild animals here though in that we have domesticated these wild animals and it is in a way our fault that nature does not act upon their existence in the way that it would if they had remained wild.

I'd say it's way more than "in a way" but in fact humans are totally responsible.

But I do not see the human as the steward of the animal kingdom.

Not the entire animal kingdom...not wild animals, but pets? How are we not stewards of our dogs and cats? They are dependent on us. They have no wild environment.

And it is not your own pet that will starve and die because of overpopulation. It is their offspring.

We are still responsible if we allow our pets to multiply.

The sterilization process is just insurance for protection against what happens if one does not properly monitor their pets or if mistakes occur.

The only way to "monitor" pets and prevent "mistakes" is to keep the males and females separated. Unbred cats and dogs are extremely uncomfortable. Females can continue going into heat repeatedly, and if they don't get their needs satisfied, they can have health problems because of it. Not to mention, without getting too graphic, imagine being aroused repeatedly with no relief. To subject them to that would be cruel.

The true problem of inattentive and irresponsible pet owners is not solved. Sterilization solves the problem of our pets getting pregnant, but it does not solve the problem of our own irresponsibility.

It's irresponsible to allow female dogs and cats to repeatedly go into heat without hope of relief. It's equally irresponsible to allow them to multiply. Unneutered males cannot be kept in the house because they spray. Left outside, they will wander off, get into countless fights, and impregnate countless females, until they likely die a violent death or starve. It's irresponsible to turn males out on the street in such an unnatural environement.

It's responsible to get them spayed/neutered. They then enjoy a life of comfort.

Breeders do not have such problems because they are extremely attentive to ensuring an environment for their pets whereby their selective breeding process is not tainted. They neither have a population problem nor are any of their pets sterilized so that they can run free without concern.

The only reason breeders don't have a population problem is because they sell their kittens and puppies to people who prefer expensive purebred animals, instead of adopting an animal in need. Millions of wonderful dogs and cats get euthanized each year because no one wants them, while people pay $500-$2000 for some fancy kitten or puppy.

Breeders are often part of the problem. I've been involved in promoting spay-neuter programs and our biggest opposition was from the breeders, because they were more concerned about their profits than about the animals.