Around 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized (put down / killed) each year in the United States simply because they do not have homes. 5,500 every day. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

“Spay” means removing a female animal’s ovaries and uterus so that she cannot reproduce.

"Neuter" refers to removing a male animal’s testicles so that he cannot reproduce. (“Neuter” can refer to either sex but is typically used for males).

Spaying and neutering dramatically reduces the number of stray animals on the streets and in shelters. 

Pets should be spayed or neutered at young ages, before 6 months for a male and before a female’s first heat.

Spaying and neutering can reduce the incidence of some of the most common types of cancers, making it likelier for animals to live a longer and healthier life.

Many states and counties have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make surgery easily affordable and accessible.

The cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year.

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Rather, lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds.

Many unneutered pets have aggression problems and often mark their territory with strong-scented urine, which can make the household unbearable. Early neutering can nix aggression.

Removing the testes from male dogs and cats reduces the breeding instinct, making them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home.

The procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt.

While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Like any surgical procedure, sterilization is associated with some anesthetic and surgical risk, but the overall incidence of complications is very low.

Before the procedure, your pet is given a thorough physical examination to ensure that he/she is in good health. General anesthesia is administered to perform the surgery and medications are given to minimize pain. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days after surgery as the incision begins to heal.