Did you know that February is Spay/Neuter awareness month? I know! I didn’t know this either; however, I have gotten both my fur kids spayed in the past. Remember this throwback photo of my cat, Precious?
With Spay/Neuter awareness month being in the same month as Valentine’s day I can testify that fixing your pet is an act of love.
Why is Spay and neutering so important you ask?
There are many reasons why spay and neutering is important to both us and our pets, including both community and health reasons. Here are a few reasons why spay/neutering your pet is so important and how you can help your pet live a healthy quality of life. Let’s dig in to the heart of the matter.
For those who don’t already know…
“What does it mean to spay and neuter?”
Check out this short video clip below:
Top Reasons to Spay/Neuter your Pet
Fight overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia
One of the number one reasons, spay/neuter is so important is due to pet overpopulation.Did you know that according to the Humane Society.org, “About 2.4 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs—about one every 13 seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them.”
Doing your part to spay/neuter your pet helps to fight this overpopulation problem.
Less aggression/Avoid going into heat
Secondly, spay/neutering your pet is vital to your pet’s quality of life and health.Did you know that spaying or neutering your pet dog helps with less aggressive behavior like peeing around the house and acting aggressively with other animals? Also, as it pertains to cats, males are less likely to mark their territory and females won’t go into heat.
Less risk of cancers & disease
Spaying and neutering your cats and dogs means less chance of testicular/breast/uterine cancers in your pets and better quality of life.According to PetWebMD.com, “Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.”
Reduce number of strays in the streets
Because spay/neutering our pets means less litters being born, that also means less strays in the streets. How many times have you witnessed a stray dog or cat emaciated in the streets looking for food? Or even fighting with other animals? Less strays in the streets and communities means better quality of life for all.Saves you money over time
Although there is an initial cost to have sterilization surgery for your pet, in the long run, spay/neutering saves you money. Because you have your pet fixed, that means less money spent on food, maintenance, and vet bills.
It is far less expensive to take care of one pet than a litter of seven! And it is much easier on the pockets.
370,000 Reasons to Spay and Neuter | An Animated Short
Spay and Neuter: Myth or Fact?
Now that you know why spay and neuter is so important and we have debunked some of those myths, here are a list of links to additional resources for general information and low cost spay/neuter options nationwide.
For those outside the USA, contact your local veterinarian or research online for low cost spay/neuter options in your area.
However, if you live here in the U.S.A., consider the following options for services in your town.
1 (800) 248-7729
ASPCA Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program
Do you live in the Northern, New Jersey area? Check out this non-profit for low cost spay/neuter services including
Have you thought about having your pet fixed yet? Is your pet already spayed or neutered? How was the experience? Comment and share your experience below.
Post originally published Feb. 2018. Updated 2023.
