At least once a year we visit every Turks and Caicos Islands school to talk about responsible pet ownership. Our costumed mascot “Lucky, the Potcake” accompanies us to show children how to handle and care for dogs.

We are working on getting the schools to incorporate our educational package into the school curriculum. We visit communities to demonstrate how to bath animals to rid them of ticks, fleas and mange. In the near future we will be have a column in the weekly newspapers dedicated to animal issues.

We also give guest lectures about animal issues to various organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis and the Hotel Association.

Education Outreach Programmes

DID YOU KNOW…

• One un-spayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years?
• One un-spayed female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years?
• There is no limit to the number of offspring male cats and dogs can produce.
• Male dogs and cats that are not neutered are especially prone to prostate cancer.
• Female dogs and cats that are not spayed are especially prone to breast cancer.

REASONS TO SPAY YOUR FEMALE ANIMAL….

• No more messy “heat” periods.
• No scent to attract male animals.
• Decreases the risk of cancer.
• Reduces the risk of injury or death associated with roaming in search of a mate.
• No need to worry about unplanned litters.
• Reduces the number of animals needed to be put to sleep due to overpopulation.
• Spaying makes your pet less likely to bite.
• Spaying makes your pet a better, healthier, more affectionate companion.

REASONS TO NEUTER YOUR MALE ANIMAL….

• Will reduce the tendency to fight and bite.
• Reduces complaints from neighbors about wandering animals.
• Less risk of injury or death associated with roaming and fighting.
• An unaltered male can impregnate many females, adding to overpopulation.
• Neutering makes your pet a better more affectionate companion.

FACTS – FICTION – MYTHS – EXCUSES!

“It’s better to have just one litter first”
Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. Evidence shows that females who are spayed before their first birthday are much healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as 8 weeks of age.

“My pet is a purebred”
So is at least one out of every four animals brought to shelters around the world. There are too many animals period, both purebred and mixed breeds.

“I want my dog to guard”
Having your pet spayed or neutered does not affect it’s natural instinct to protect home and family. The way your pet behaves is formed more by genetics and environment.

“I want my male pet to feel like a real male”
Pets don’t have egos! Neutering your pet will not change his basic personality. He won’t suffer any kind of ego crisis when you have him neutered.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

It can be hard to imagine how letting your pet have just one litter can cause a problem, especially if you care for all of your pet’s puppies or kittens. But the fact is that “just one litter” does cause pet overpopulation and remember all of the puppies or kittens in your pet’s litter could be having litters of their own. Every day, healthy cats and dogs have to be put to sleep-and all of these animals came from “just one litter”.

HOW CAN I HELP?
This is the easy bit. Spay or neuter your pet. Be a responsible pet owner.
Call the TCSPCA @ 231-3052 for information on surgery, vets or if you require transportation.

Print the Fact Sheet

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you,
that is the principal difference between a dog and a man”
Mark Twain