Spay and neuter resources

Why spaying or neutering is so important

Spaying or neutering, sometimes called "altering," is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet, your family, and your community.

These routine medical procedures not only reduce the number of animals that enter shelters, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing in a cat or dog, allowing your pet to lead a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Potential health benefits

• Your female pet may live a longer, healthier life. Spaying your pet before her first heat helps prevent uterine infections and cancerous breast tumors in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats.
• Spaying your female pet also prevents potential complications with pregnancy, which can often be emergencies.
• Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

Potential behavioral benefits

• Your spayed female pet won't go into heat, so you avoid the related vocalizations and more frequent urination.
• Your neutered male dog will be less likely to roam away from home, risking injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
• Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people, and inanimate objects after he's neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.
• Your neutered male cat will be less likely to mark or spray their territory and is less likely to get into fights with other cats.