Hawaiian Humane Society: Animal Welfare Quiz

True. Most feral cats are not suitable as pets and are happiest outdoors. Sterilizing allows them to live out their natural lives without reproducing. Sterilizing feral cats is a critical component to reducing the homeless cat population.

Last year, more than 26,000 animals arrived to the Humane Society. Spay and neuter saves lives by preventing unwanted animals. Adopt from a shelter as there are hundreds of homeless animals in need of families. Visit hawaiianhumane.org to see animals for adoption.

True. Kitten season peaks during the spring and summer months when days are longer, but because Hawaii offers nearly 12 hours of daylight year round, our island cats can go into heat any time of the year.

The entire community is affected by the overpopulation of cats and dogs. This is why the City and Country of Honolulu offers the Neuter Now reduced-cost sterilization program.

True. While the surgery can seem expensive, this one-time cost is substantially less than financing the cost of care for a litter of kittens or puppies. There are options to assist pet owners. Neuter Now certificates, available at Satellite City Hall and the Hawaiian Humane Society, provide reduced sterilization fees at participating veterinary clinics. You can also adopt from a local shelter or rescue group whose animals are already neutered.

True. Spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of breast cancer, the most common cancer in unsterilized female dogs. Neutering your male dog eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

All of the above. Unsterilized cats and dogs frequently mark with urine, creating an unpleasant smell and unsanitary conditions in your home. Most dog bites involve dogs who are not sterilized. The urge to find a mate and roam can lead to the escape of your pet, increasing their vulnerability of becoming lost or injured.

All of the above. When people trap, neuter and then return cats to their colonies, the population stabilizes and then decreases. Millions of unwanted kittens will be spared from a life on the streets.

True. Sterilized pets live longer, healthier lives and make better companions. Recent research done by veterinarians at the University of Georgia showed that sterilized dogs live longer on average compared to those that are unsterilized.

True. The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a complex infection in cats that can lead to other serious health issues such as kidney failure, respiratory diseases and cancer. FIV is spread through reproduction and fighting, activities which are decreased when cats are sterilized.

Cats, usually feral cats, that are spayed or neutered have a 'V' notch in their ears. This is done to prevent re-trapping and the unnecessary surgery of an already sterilized cat. A notched right ear indicates the cat is female, a notched left ear indicates the cat is male.

300,000. Nearly 17% of people living on Oahu are feeding cats they don't own. Free roaming cats are vulnerable to disease, abuse and being hit by cars. Unsterilized cats can quickly contribute to increasing the population of free roaming cats.

No. All humane societies are completely independent from one another and are not affiliated. With no national parent organization, Hawaiian Humane Society is an independent, local organization help local animals and people that does not receive any funding from organizations with a similar name. All your donations stay local to help animals in Hawaii.