Emancipet.org

Shhh... please don't breathe a word to Gibson, but he is about to go to the clinic with Emancipet to get neutered on Friday. I made the appointment this past Monday, I believe, but hate the thought of taking him in to be altered; however, I understand that it is for the good of community. To me, it seems like selective breeding; however, this isn't done in all communities so the populations still evolve for cats and dogs.

While Emancipet offers nominal fees (and some free clinic days) to help the affordability to all people in the community, its premise is based upon:

"Helping to control the pet population and liberate pets from euthanasia." Additionally, Dr. Ellen Jefferson created the program and based upon her experience as volunteering at some local shelters, "She learned that her abilities as a veterinarian would be used much more effectively if she could prevent unwanted animals from being born in the first place. Emancipet was founded to be a high volume spay/neuter clinic that could reach many different populations of people by being mobile. In addition to the mobility of the clinic, the low costs for surgery were an added incentive to encourage pet owners to start using the service. Since 1999, over 35,000 animals have been sterilized within the mobile hospital alone."

I know that Gibson will be far better off for having the procedure done, as well as they can give him his shots, put an identification chip in him (if lost), and trim his nails for me (since scratches on my sensitive skin can cause infections easily). It is just that it seems so final a process. In the past, I have allowed my pet female cats to at least have a chance to populate once before having the process done -- right or wrong, it seemed to be a humane thing to do. Probably has something to do with the fact that I felt cheated by only having one child due to other circumstances (ie divorce). Growing up, I had always thought I would have 3 children and one of my sisters do have 3 children, the other sister has 2 children. My brother is still waiting for "Mrs. Right" to come along. :)

At any rate, it will be liberating to know that, as a male kitty, he won't start spraying to form his territory when he starts going in heat.

Fortunately, I do have a day off today and can spend some extra time with him. Because I have to take him in early during the day tomorrow, I have to withhold food from him after midnight today. He will probably catch on that something is up when I take his food away since he has had free will at the food throughout the day since he was brought over to my home as a very skinny and hungry kitty.

PS The photo is of a kitty on the Emancipet's website. Pretty cute, huh?




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