Lakeland Wildlife Oasis: How we save animals' lives by neutering and spaying

Launched in 1995, it’s a really important campaign, raising awareness and educating people to save animal lives by spaying and neutering companion animals, feral cats and street dogs.

BIRTH: Tara is on contraception at the moment

It’s a global problem, which leads to overpopulation, neglect, aggression, disease and, ultimately, euthanasia. You may well have pictured the street cats and dogs of places like Romania or the Greek islands, but it’s also an issue here, too.

This year for example, we are already seeing consequences from 2020’s ‘lockdown puppy boom’ for cute small designer crosses like ‘cockapoos’. As people return to the office, many overbred dogs, also susceptible to health issues, are already finding their way into rescue centres.

It’s also something we have to take responsibility for in zoos. While we are proactive partners in many international breeding programmes, specifically to boost and safeguard endangered species, there is no point in irresponsibly breeding large populations of non-risk animals, and running out of room.

BORN: Dikdiks will only product one baby at a time

We also want to avoid inbreeding, which causes behavioural and physical deficiencies. The way zoos do this is by careful monitoring, separation out of juveniles as they reach maturity, single sex family groupings and, sometimes, chemical neutering, which means pairs and groups can continue to live together. Again, much of this involves cooperation and movement of animals between zoos.

While some animal species can multiply exponentially in the wild, especially those which produce litters, like our pygmy mice, larger animals, like our diks diks, will only produce one baby at a time and for some species that can take up to two years.

Pygmy mice produce litters

Interestingly, many animals can also vary their fertility levels depending on factors like temperature, competition and food supply. In wolf packs, only the alpha pair (the pack leaders) produce pups.

By domesticating wolves and bringing them into our homes, we have the responsibility to look after them: by being responsible about breeding, maybe adopting a rescue dog, and providing the right food, exercise and vet care.