Getting your pet spayed or neutered is a smart move. It helps keep your pet healthy and means fewer animals without homes. Got questions? Just click on one below to skip right to the answer you need in our easy-to-follow FAQ page.
What is required to spay/neuter your pet?
What are the benefits of Spay/Neuter Surgery?
Will my pet's behavior change after surgery?
How long will it take for my pet to recover from the procedure?
Isn't it healthier for my pet to have at least one litter?
WHAT IS SPAY/NEUTER?
The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. The term “neuter,” while more commonly used to refer to the castration of male pets, can be used to describe the sterilization of either female or male pets.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET?
Pets must be 8 weeks of age and/or 2 lbs (vet dependent)
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY: POST-SURGERY REQUIREMENTS
First night all pets MUST stay inside to prevent hypothermia leading to death.
5-7 days are important for monitoring activity and surgery site.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF SPAY/NEUTER?
Spaying/neutering your pet improves their health, behavior, and community safety while also helping reduce the number of homeless pets.
Healthy Pets. Spay/neuter improves your pet’s health, reducing or eliminating the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. Because spay/neuter often reduces the tendency to fight with other animals, it also protects your pet from fight-related injuries and from dangerous infections spread through bite wounds. Spayed/neutered animals wander less and stay closer to home. As a result, they are less likely to be lost or hit by cars.
Happy Families. Spay/neuter reduces or eliminates spraying (marking objects with a spray of urine), yowling/howling, escaping, and other troublesome behaviors. You won’t have to deal with the mess or the inconvenience of a pet in heat (or a male pet reacting to a female in heat). You’ll be saved the considerable amount of time, money, and hassle (not to mention property damage!) involved in raising litters of puppies or kittens.
Healthy Communities. Spay/neuter has a direct impact on the incidence of dog bites in a community. Most dog bites (60–80 percent) are caused by intact male dogs. Pregnant or nursing female dogs are more likely to bite as well. Reducing your pet’s likelihood of biting or fighting may also help protect you from potential legal action. Spayed/neutered pets are less likely to engage in behaviors that could cause problems with neighbors.
No More Homeless Pets. Spay/neuter directly impacts the number of animals that lose their lives in our shelters and on our streets. Having your pet spayed or neutered frees up homes for homeless pets that are already born. By getting your pet fixed, you are part of the campaign to reach the day when there are truly no more homeless pets!
WILL MY PET’S BEHAVIOR CHANGE AFTER THE SURGERY?
Spay/neuter can result in some behavior changes – for the better!
Spayed or neutered pets are often less aggressive, more relaxed, and even more affectionate. Contrary to what some people fear, pets show no signs of “missing” mating or breeding. Rather, they are more content without those raging hormones!
WILL MY PET BECOME FAT?
Just like people, pets become overweight when they eat too much and/or exercise too little. An appropriate diet and sufficient activity will keep your pet slender and healthy.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY PET TO RECOVER FROM THE PROCEDURE?
Depending on your pet’s age, size, and health, he/she may be kept at the vet’s for a few hours or overnight. Your veterinarian can give you more details. The surgery to fix animals is routine, and they generally bounce back quickly.
ISN’T IT HEALTHIER FOR MY PET TO HAVE ONE LITTER?
Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost varies, depending on the services offered in your community, but spay/neuter is a one-time cost, a bargain when you consider the cost of taking care of litter after litter of puppies or kittens.