They may be babies, but kittens as young as 4 months and puppies as young as 5 months can get pregnant and have their first litter just two months later.

 

“Many owners put off the procedure and wait until the puppy or kitten is 6 to 8 months old. But by then, a litter of puppies or kittens can be born. Loveable, precious animals should not be parents at 5 and 6 months old,” said Dr. Lisa Chassy, medical director of Young-Williams Animal Center Spay/ Neuter Solutions.

 

That’s why Young-Williams Animal Center, with funding provided by PetSmart Charities, the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, is offering the “Precious, Not Parents” campaign. Through the campaign, Young-Williams Animal Center Spay/Neuter Solutions will provide $20 spay and neuter surgeries for puppies and kittens under 6 months of age during the month of June.

 

Current pet owners across East Tennessee can take advantage of the shelter’s “Precious, Not Parents” campaign.

 

Some pet parents may worry that their pet is too young for the procedure, but spaying and neutering is safe and easy for kittens and puppies as young as 8 to 10 weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

 

The special $20 rate is even less than the shelter’s regular low-cost price. Pet parents who wish to take advantage of the offer must mention the “Precious, Not Parents” campaign when they call to schedule an appointment. The campaign is based on availability.

 

Young-Williams Animal Center will provide 300 “Precious, Not Parents” sterilizations for $20 in June. Please visit www.young-williams.org or call (865) 215-6677 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

The “Precious, Not Parents” campaign provides more than $677,339 to spay/neuter clinics to fund affordable, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for more than 16,864 puppies and kittens across the country during the month of June.