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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
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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.
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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 by spay/neutering your pet dog it helps with less aggressive behavior tendencies like peeing around the house and actin aggressive with other animals? Also, as it pertains to cats, males are less likely to mark their territory and females won’t go into heat.
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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.”
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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.
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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! 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.
- Animal League.org
https://www.animalleague.org/get-involved/spay-usa/
1 (800) 248-7729
- ASPCA Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/low-cost-spayneuter-programs
Do you live in the Northern, New Jersey area? Check out this non-profit for low cost spay/neuter services including
- People for Animals
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 2020.
All of my pets have been spayed or neutered. Bernie and Lizzie were fixed before we picked them up, but we got pictures of them recovering from the procedure. I know Brenda gives the pups extra love as they recuperate, which thankfully is quickly.
Irene,
Nice!
I didn’t know that it is spay neuter awareness month. Good that something like that exists! Overpopulation is such a huge issue and I wish more people would be aware of it.
Thanks Monika! 🙂
I always spay/neuter my dogs at six months of age. My stepson has way too many dogs and they have often missed that mark until it is too late. Unfortunately, they have had too many litters, although they always do find good homes for the puppies.
Sandy,
Nice! Although your stepson has missed the mark it is good to know he’s found good homes for all those pups!
I’m currently fostering for a local rescue organization. Isabella was spayed two weeks ago (February). I think people are becoming more aware of the importance of spay/neuter. Especially, in relation to overpopulation. Educational posts like this are helping. Thank you.
Sarah,
You’re welcome and hope Isabella is doing great!
Those are all great reasons to spay/neuter. I wasn’t really aware of the health benefits. Thanks for sharing!
Kia,
Happy to share, you’re welcome.
Honestly, Spaying and neutering your cats and dogs means less chance of testicular/breast/uterine cancers in your pets and better quality of life. Nice Post!
Esther,
Exactly! Thank you!
Honestly Spayingand neutering your cats and dogs means less chance of testicular/breast/uterine cancers in your pets and better quality of life. Nice post
All of my pets have always been spayed/neutered. I don’t think we realized the health benefits decades ago – we just didn’t want puppies or kittens. Now I know the health benefits of these surgeries and will continue to make sure any fur children are spayed/neutered.
So true Paula. I know when I got my first cat and took her to the vet I knew I didn’t want her going into “heat” and attracting toms to make babies. It was only at the vet appointment I learned the health benefits too! Well said.
This is SO important! Great post!! I’ve always had my dogs spayed/neutered without even really thinking about it, but when we were living in Puerto Rico and I saw how prevalent the stray dog population is, it definitely made me a huge advocate of spaying/neutering. Definitely pinning this!
Natasha,
Thank you!
SO important!! You listed the best reasons. I always spay or neuter but never declaw. That is my rule. My cats are housecats but should one get outside I know they won’t breed. In addition I find that feral strays do not come around nearly as much when pets are fixed! Try having an unspayed female sitting in an open screened window lol see how many males come around! Our Pumpkin was quite the attraction her first week with us until we got her to her appointment at the vet lol.
Joely,
LOL You had me smiling when I read your comment. “Try having an unspayed female…” I remember when I got Dusty from a boy selling kittens off the street curb for $5. It wasn’t too long after having her at home that she was showing signs of being in heat. She always wanted to rub her bum near us in the air walking backwards. LOL Hilarious but I knew in an instant…”um I think it’s time for you to see the vet!” And yes, no to declawing for sure. I think if people knew how invasive and inhumane it really is they’d consider alternative options.
We are definitely firm believers in spaying and neutering your pets! All of our cats and dog are spayed/neutered. It always just seems like the normal thing to do, I don’t even think about it – until I hear of people who don’t spay and neuter, which always surprises and amazes me. Thanks for helping to spread awareness!
Emily,
I think the same way you do. I think of spay and neuter the same way I think of getting initial vaccines as babies. All part of the necessary steps to getting them on the path to a routine of good health and vet care.
All of the dogs (and our cat) that I’ve had as an adult were spayed or neutered. I remember many years ago when I brought in my puppy to be neutered, the vet tech made sure that I knew what the procedure involved. Earlier that week a man brought in his dog but thought that neutering was a vasectomy. He was very angry that his dog lost his “manhood.” I always wondered if that guy wasn’t trying to prove his own masculinity by having a manly dog.
Beth,
I wonder the same thing! SOME men get really snippy (no pun intended) when talking about neutering their male animals. Hey! It’s not taking away your manhood. Settle down! If they only looked at it as enhancing quality of life for their pet, I’d think they’d be more encouraged and less defensive.
Wonderful key messaging! This is such an important topic. Education – education. Great use of mulit media
Thank you Jodi!
I was a foster for a cat and kitten rescue in Southern California for over five years. All of my pets prior to that had been spayed or neutered but this really opened my eyes. Spay/neuter education is one of my missions. It is the only real solution to pet overpopulation.
I applaud your work to help animals! Thank you.
Stray dogs are seriously everywhere especially in the country I live in.
This concept is for their owners. They need to see this and learn how to keep their pets!
This is a great post!
Enele,
Thank you. Don’t forget to share or repin for others to see/share. Thanks for the support.
Spaying/neutering is important and something that every pet parent should do! The only way to achieve being a “no-kill” nation is to educate pet owners about overpopulation and how spaying/neutering fixes that problem. Thank you for this excellent post!
Rachel,
Thank you for the kind words. Education is key. We can’t eliminate overpopulation at this rate but we sure can put a big dent in the problem by spreading the word and educating.
Spay/Neuter is the biggest issue worldwide for domestic pets. It is critical we stop stupid views like ‘the cat needs to have a litter’ or I can’t afford to have a cat spayed.
Cut price or even neutering is becoming more and more common. Just because someone is a cheapskate doesn’t mean their poor cat has to suffer. Actually getting people to pay is much less important than the unseen cost – the tragedy of unwanted kittens being shovelled into kill shelters at a terrifying rate.
neuter your pet. DO IT NOW!
Marjorie,
Yes I feel you! I’ve heard that from friends of friends ‘ My mom has a cat but can’t afford to get it spayed. ” I tell them, there ARE low cost and even free services out there. Some even come to the house! People don’t realize just how impactful spaying and neutering your pet is to the pet and the community.
AS someone that travels all over the globe…. I see a lot of stray dogs. This is SO important. Everywhere. Overpopulation is a really really big issue.
Sonja,
So true. It’s a worldwide problem. I can say the same when I traveled to the Caribbean a couple years back. So sad to see strays malnourished in the street.
Peep #1 has always said, “The BEST way to say kitties’ lives is to have your cat spayed,” and I, Seville the Cat, AGREE. purrs
Yes, Well said Seville!
I am all for spay and neuter as there are so many animals in shelters looking for homes plus taking Layla to dog parks I worry if there is a non fixed dog, although most dog owners in our park are quick to point out that an unfixed dog is not welcome.
Great post and reminder
Ruth,
Thank you. Sounds like you have a very responsible set of pet parents at the dog park! (two thumbs up)