Spay & Neuter FAQ
What Is Spaying and/or Neutering?
Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is often used in reference to both genders. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal incapable of reproducing.
Why Should I Have My Pet Neutered?
In 2023 the World Animal Foundation estimates approximately 920,000 animals are euthanized at shelters each year. Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
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https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-adoption-statistics/
Are There Any Health Benefits?
A long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.
Are There Any Behavioral Benefits?
Through neutering, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing of a female cat in heat. Spaying a female dog also eliminates the messiness associated with the heat cycle.
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Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will generally get along better if they are neutered.
Can I get help with the cost?
The State of Connecticut offers vouchers to help with the cost of spaying and neutering.
Click on the image to the right for more information:
Statistics
Statistics show 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day for every 10,000 human births.
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There simply are not enough homes for all these animals. As a result, 7,000,000 animals
are euthanized every year. It is easy to see how the numbers of dogs and cats get out of hand.
For example, if a cat has two litters per year, that one cat and its offspring will produce
more than 11 million cats in nine years. Two litters per year, with 2.8 surviving kittens
per litter,can total:
1 year, 1 cat:---------12
2 years:----------------67
3 years:----------------376
4 years:----------------2,107
5 years:----------------11,801
6 years:----------------66,088
7 years:----------------370,092
8 years:----------------2,072,514
9 years:----------------11,606,077
More than 11 million cats!
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Given these statistics, the only way to break this chain is by altering our animals.
Please have your pet
spayed or neutered!
