In Guatemala as with other poor countries, people struggle to feed and care for their families, and unfortunately little resources remain for their animals. Also, dogs and cats are considered working animals by many so when they have litters, the babies are given away as “gifts” and may just wander away. Growing up on the streets isn’t too bad if they are lucky enough to find food left by sympathetic people and don’t get in an accident or contract a disease. But of course, without being castrated, their numbers just grow.   ​

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DOGS:

Sexually mature by 6 months, most female dogs can have two litters per year.  Left unaltered the original female and her offspring can produce 128 dogs in 2 years.

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CATS:

A female cat is sexually mature at 4 months and in one year can produce 12 babies. She can become pregnant again while still nursing babies.

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It is critical that both male and female dogs and cats are castrated.  While females maybe pregnant 2-3 times a year, a male dogs can impregnant many more females.