Question 1

Why do you help animals and not people?

Accepted Answer

We help animals and people. Every dog or cat we treat belongs to someone, a person who cares, but often lacks the financial means to provide veterinary care. By helping animals, we also support their owners, families, and communities. Compassion for animals and people goes hand in hand.

Question 2

How can I get involved? Do you need volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Have a Heart is powered by dedicated volunteers.If you would like to help, please get in touch with us. There are many ways to support our work, not only during sterilisation campaigns.Please note: unfortunately, we cannot provide accommodation or financial support for volunteers travelling from outside Namibia. Our campaigns are scheduled by local veterinarians and often organised at short notice, which makes long-term planning for international volunteers difficult.

Question 3

Why Should I Spay or Neuter?

Accepted Answer

Spaying and neutering is the most effective and humane way to prevent unwanted litters in dogs and cats. But there is much more:It helps your pet live a healthier, happier, and often longer life, reduces the risk of certain diseases, and can improve behaviour. Most importantly, it prevents the cycle of overpopulation and suffering that leads to animals living on the streets or in overcrowded shelters.By sterilising your pet, you are making a responsible, loving choice for your animal and for the wider community.

Question 4

At what age can my pet be spayed or neutered?

Accepted Answer

Spaying or neutering can be done from around 8 weeks of age or once a pet weighs at least 2 kg. Early sterilisation helps prevent unwanted litters and supports long-term health and wellbeing.That said: it’s never too late. Adult and older dogs and cats can also be safely sterilised and benefit greatly from it. No matter their age, sterilisation helps reduce health risks, improves quality of life, and protects future generations of animals.If you are unsure whether your pet is ready, we are always happy to guide you.

Question 5

What Are The Benefits?

Accepted Answer

Spaying is one of the kindest and most responsible choices you can make for your dog or cat. It protects their health, improves their quality of life, and helps prevent animal suffering in the long term.
The benefits include:Prevents unwanted litters
Spaying is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and helps reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens.
Stops heat cycles
Female pets will no longer go into heat, which can start as early as four months of age and occur frequently - especially in cats.
Improves behaviour and reduces stress
Spaying helps prevent behaviours linked to heat, such as constant crying, restlessness, roaming, and attracting unwanted male animals.
Protects your pet’s health
Spaying greatly reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer and completely prevents uterine infections and cancers, which can be life-threatening.
Saves lives - and money
Preventing multiple litters reduces suffering, lowers veterinary costs over time, and helps communities cope with fewer stray animals.
Spaying doesn’t just change one life - it helps protect entire communities of animals.It is a simple act with a lifelong impact. 🐾

Question 6

I Don’t Even Have A Pet. How Is This My Problem?

Accepted Answer

Because this issue doesn’t stop at the fence of a pet owner.Uncontrolled dog and cat populations affect everyone, whether you own an animal or not. Stray and unwanted animals impact public health, community safety, wildlife, and shared resources.When animals are not sterilised, the consequences ripple outward:Public health risks increase, including rabies and other zoonotic diseasesRoad accidents involving animals put people at riskWildlife and livestock are injured or killedTaxpayer money is spent managing problems that could have been preventedChildren are exposed to animal suffering and violence, which has proven long-term psychological effects and can even end in depression or violent behavior.In Namibia, countless dogs and cats are not homeless because they are unloved  but because their owners lack access to affordable veterinary care. This is a systems problem, not an individual failure.Preventive care like spaying and neutering is far cheaper, kinder, and more effective than dealing with the consequences later. Every sterilisation prevents suffering before it starts.You don’t need to own a pet to care about:safer communitieshealthier environmentscompassion for living beingsresponsible use of shared resourcesSupporting sterilisation is not “helping animals instead of people”, it helps both.When animals suffer less, communities are safer, healthier, and more humane.That’s why this is everyone’s problem and why it’s also everyone’s opportunity to be part of the solution!

Question 7

Shouldn’t a Female Dog or Cat Have One Litter, or at Least One Heat Cycle, Before Being Spayed?

Accepted Answer

To the contrary, a dog or cat has the best chance of good health if  spayed before her first heat. Early spaying reduces the risk of mammary  tumors and prevents other health problems, such as life-threatening  uterine infections, before aging brings greater susceptibility.

Question 8

Won’t My Neutered Male Feel Less Manly?

Accepted Answer

In a pet's world, there's no concept of sexual identity or ego. Their biology and behavior evolved in the wild to ensure survival by producing as many offspring as possible. However, in today's world, this approach would lead to an increase in unwanted pets, contributing to unnecessary euthanizations in shelters.By spaying and neutering our pets, we can be responsible guardians, preventing overpopulation and giving every pet the chance for a loving home. Let's work together to create a better future for our furry friends!

Question 9

Don’t Animal Shelters Take Care Of Surplus Animals?

Accepted Answer

No. Shelters do their best to place  animals in loving homes. Despite their efforts, many healthy and  adoptable animals are euthanized.

Question 10

My One Cat Or Dog Can’t Make That Much Of A Difference, Can It?

Accepted Answer

By fixing your one pet you can help save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. You may find homes for your pet's  entire litter, but each home you find means one less home for homeless  animals in shelters facing euthanasia.

Question 11

Isn't having a litter a great way for my children to experience the miracle of birth?

Accepted Answer

No need to let your pet have a litter - thousands of rescue and shelter  organizations help abandoned animals, many of them pregnant. Volunteer  to foster a pregnant dog or cat! You'll support the rescue and the  animals, while giving your children a unique experience of seeing a  litter being born and raised. Be part of a meaningful journey and make a  difference for these precious creatures!

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