PHOTOS: PETA’s Giant, Dancing ‘Condom’ Promotes Animal Birth Control in Vietnam
A PETA member dressed as a giant condom today in Ho Chi Minh City to remind passersby to spay and neuter their animal companions. Why? In a word, overpopulation. There’s an overpopulation crisis of cats and dogs—and spaying and neutering is the single most important thing that we can do to help end it. Animals can’t wear condoms, so it’s up to us to take responsibility and get them “fixed.”
Just one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce a staggering 370,000 kittens in seven years, and one unspayed female dog and her puppies can result in the birth of 67,000 dogs in six years.
Countless unwanted cats and dogs enter animal shelters across Asia every day, and many are euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them, while many more die from abuse or disease on the streets. They are struck by cars, have no protection from extreme weather, and are vulnerable to cruel humans who stab and poison them and even set them on fire. Some are sold to dogfighters, who use them as “bait.” Spaying and neutering are the keys to preventing more animals from being born only to end up homeless and suffering.
Sterilized animals also live longer, happier lives. Spaying eliminates the risk of developing uterine cancer and greatly reduces the risk of developing mammary cancer. Neutering eliminates the risk of developing testicular cancer, reduces the likelihood of developing prostate cancer, and curtails the urge to roam and fight. Altered animals also aren’t as likely to contract feline AIDS and feline leukemia—deadly, contagious diseases that are spread through bodily fluids.
The best conceivable solutions are always to adopt animal companions from an animal shelter and spay or neuter them. Never buy them from a breeder or a pet store.
What You Can Do
Have your cat or dog spayed or neutered. If you’re ready to share your home with a lifetime friend, adopt from an animal shelter, where countless deserving dogs and cats are waiting to be loved.
