Why do people let their cats/dogs have babies?

KateLiana27

I'm genuinely curious, and hope no one is offended by the question.

My sister and her husband wanted to get a pair of cats last year. They were planning on getting them from a shelter and had started looking. But then they found out that a friend's cat was having its second litter of kittens, and the friend was looking for homes for them. They decided to take two of the litter.

The "mother cat" is a standard moggy, and her owners aren't registered breeders or any such thing.

I just feel angry that two cats in a shelter somewhere have essentially been done out of good homes, because the friend decided to bring more unwanted cats into the world.

Our childhood neighbours let their dog have puppies, and I know many other people who have done so. But I'm too cowardly to ask in real life, so...

Why? Surely it is cheaper to neuter a pet than to raise a litter?

(oops this should have gone in the Pets board, I'll ask for it to be moved)

*max*

I totally agree it's a crying shame. There are still some who think a female dog or cat "needs" to have at least one litter, which is obviously a stupid myth. Letting it happen more than once is even worse, and completely irresponsible, not only to the "environment" (so many unwanted pets in shelters already, like you said) but to the animal itself, as a pregnancy is never without risk. I personally find it unbelievably cruel. :cool:

HappyMJ

And people buy them....while there is a market for cheap kittens and puppies from backyard cross bred litters this will continue. It is cruel but never ever pay for a backyard bred kitten or puppy no matter what they say they'll do.

I've been watching the goings on of a facebook friend trying to offload kittens and they are failing badly at it...nobody wants them.

balletshoes

Our male kitten came from a litter of a cat belonging to my daughter's friend. Her mum also believes that female cats need to have one litter before they are spayed. However, in her experience this was a risky business because the cat got pregnant again before she could be spayed, so she had 2 litters before it happened.

I don't understand it either, but its the same for most animals we class as pets in this country, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits etc etc, loads of them in shelters because their owners don't have them neutered/spayed.

1886

I have two cats, a male and a female, we took them both to the vets to have the operation for a number of reasons. We did`nt want our small female cat getting chased around by Toms and them hanging around our garden. We also did`nt want the boy going off for miles looking for a mate, he was also becomming aggressive towards his sister.
I think ppl who let their dogs and cats have litter after litter are irresponsible. The same can be said for humans who just have child after child then don`t bother getting a job and live off the state

scooby088

Most people do it to make a profit and you don't need to be a breeder to do that. People want puppies or kittens hence always breeding, my sister used to breed yorkie terriers but only had 1 litter of puppies with both her !!!!!es and then they were spayed.

QuackQuackOops

Why do some humans have babies?
The world is overcrowded. There are millions of children in orphanges so why do a couple decide to have their own baby rather than adopt one of the unwanted 2,3,4,5,6 etc year olds who are in care?

Many peope who buy a dog want to buy one as a puppy so that they are responsible for the training from day one. A rescue dog is not always suitable nor are they cheaper!
On top of all that, people like to go chose a puppy and come home. They dont always want some unqualified person coming into their home and deciding whether or not they are fit to take a dog from them.

People like to raise children and pets from babies. Its a natural feeling.
As for getting them neutered, yes they should have them neutered.

marmitepotato

Sadly, some pet owners do not take neutering into consideration when buying a pet. Nor do they take vets fees, vaccination or any other bill that the animal might incur. When it comes to spaying its a complete shock and surprise to find out that it's going to cost upwards of £200. So, these people do nothing, when the dog or cat comes into season, every male dog and Tom will come calling.....the result. Lots and lots of unwanted puppies and kittens. Unless you are a registered breeder who knows what they are doing, you should always always get your pet neutered. Sadly there will always be un responsible pet owners......

Pollycat

Why do people let their cats/dogs have babies?

Because they are irresponsible, maybe?

alwaysskint96

marmitepotato wrote: »

Sadly, some pet owners do not take neutering into consideration when buying a pet. Nor do they take vets fees, vaccination or any other bill that the animal might incur. When it comes to spaying its a complete shock and surprise to find out that it's going to cost upwards of £200. So, these people do nothing, when the dog or cat comes into season, every male dog and Tom will come calling.....the result. Lots and lots of unwanted puppies and kittens. Unless you are a registered breeder who knows what they are doing, you should always always get your pet neutered. Sadly there will always be un responsible pet owners......

£200?????? My cats (female) cost about £30 each to be done last year, including after op checkups. Obviously dogs might cost lots more

raven83

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

Why do some humans have babies?
The world is overcrowded. There are millions of children in orphanges so why do a couple decide to have their own baby rather than adopt one of the unwanted 2,3,4,5,6 etc year olds who are in care?

Many peope who buy a dog want to buy one as a puppy so that they are responsible for the training from day one. A rescue dog is not always suitable nor are they cheaper!
On top of all that, people like to go chose a puppy and come home. They dont always want some unqualified person coming into their home and deciding whether or not they are fit to take a dog from them.

People like to raise children and pets from babies. Its a natural feeling.
As for getting them neutered, yes they should have them neutered.

I echo this to a degree, i have cats and both females have had one litter each before they were done, and i never had no trouble in rehoming the kittens. My last cat had 5 and within about 2 weeks of them being born they all had a new home sorted, in fact i had someone say she would have one even before my cat gave birth. The simple matter is people like to have cats/dogs from the time they are babies so that they can train them from the onset. And i know that the people who are having my kittens will given them forever homes and they will be well loved and that is the important thing for me.This is also a lot of the case with human children that babies are wanted more than say and older child, its sad but quite true.