Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet
 
What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
 
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.

Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.

Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.

Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
 
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions. Cats and dogs provide companionship to and share the homes of over 63,000,000 individuals in the United States

Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.

Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.

Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.

Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.

Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
 
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. Two unaltered cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 more cats in seven years. Two unaltered dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 more dogs in six years. The problem of companion animal overpopulation costs the taxpayers of this country over a billion dollars annually through animal control programs aimed at coping with the millions of unwanted cats and dogs.

Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.

Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals. Humane societies and shelters have to kill approximately four million cats and dogs each year, although many of them are healthy and adoptable, simply because there are not enough good homes

Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.

Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.

Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
 
 
 
HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates
 
Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:
6-8 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000 -- 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)

Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)

Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:
25% (HSUS estimate)

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3

Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2

Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10

Updated Oct. 12, 2006

Courtesy of Humane Society of the United States
 
 
Making the Cut
 
Sometimes, friends or relatives don't understand the advantages of spaying or neutering a pet. Give them reasons to reconsider with our guide to the myths and facts about sterilization.
Courtesy of Humane Society of the United States