Stewart County Animal Management Program (S.C.A.M.P.) offers a Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program to all Stewart County residents.  One of the main reasons an animal will stray is because they are not spayed or neutered. The animals then have to picked up because they are out wandering the streets or becoming a nuisance to neighbors. Please use S.C.A.M.P. to spay or neuter your dogs and cats and take part in ending pet overpopulation.

You are highly encouraged to use this program and you can choose to have your pet altered at either the  Animal Clinic of Stewart County or the North Stewart Veterinary Clinic.

Please spread the word and tell a friend or family member!

Call Joyce Lankford at 931-232-4810 for more information.

SNIP to Save Pets
Saving Lives in Mississippi

SNIP is a similar program to SCAMP. Please view the video below:

Neutering refers to the surgical procedure that renders a male or female pet incapable of reproducing, although the term is commonly used in reference to male animals. 

In males, the surgery (orchiectomy, or castration) removes the testicles from the scrotal sac. The testicles produce sperm. The testicles are also a main source of the hormone testosterone, so neutering lowers the testosterone level, thus often has a some what calming effect on the animal's behavior, since some behavior is influenced by sex drive.

In females, surgical sterilization (ovariohysterectomy, or spaying) involves an incision into the abdominal cavity to remove the ovaries and uterus. Ovaries produce eggs at each estrus or heat cycle and also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. 

These common operations are performed by veterinarians while the pet is under general anesthesia, during which the animal feels no pain. After the short surgery, the animal may experience discomfort as part of the normal healing process. However, many animals, particularly males, seem to experience no discomfort. Veterinarians can provide pain relief medication if needed. Depending on the individual animal, he or she will stay at the veterinarian's office for a few hours or overnight. The pet usually is back to normal within a day or two.

Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age, so it is important to spay and neuter pets by that age. Not only is there no evidence to support the old wives' tale about benefits of letting pets go through a heat cycle or have a litter, there is a preponderance of evidence that it is healthier for pets to be spayed or neutered before the first heat cycle (estrus) and sexual maturity.

Research from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other sources indicates that younger animals heal faster and are lower surgical risks. However, older animals can typically be spayed and neutered safely as well.  As long as a pup or kitten weighs more than two pounds and is 8 weeks old, he or she can be neutered or spayed. Many veterinarians practice safe early sterilization. Some of the many benefits of early sterilization: faster healing and recovery time, and the earlier a pet is spayed or neutered, the less chance of developing a number of serious diseases and disorders. 

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.

Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!

Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

It is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!

Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.

Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.

Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.
Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.