If you’re welcoming a new furry friend into your home or already have a dog or cat, deciding whether to spay or neuter can be a difficult choice. You may wonder if it’s harmful or even right for your pet, but keep in mind spaying or neutering is a gift of love—both to your pet and to the larger community of animals.

Spaying is the removal of a female pet’s reproductive organs, while neutering is the removal of a male pet’s testicles to prevent reproduction. These surgical procedures have a short recovery time and are performed by a licensed veterinarian under general anesthesia.

Spayed and neutered pets enjoy numerous health and behavioral benefits, leading to longer, healthier lives. 

REDUCES YOUR PET'S CANCER RISK

Animals can be afflicted with cancer just like humans, which is devastating to their health and very costly to treat. Spaying or neutering lowers a pet’s risk of developing breast, uterine, prostate testicular and ovarian cancer.

PREVENTS UTERINE INFECTIONS

Spaying eliminates the risk of dangerous uterine infections, which can be life-threatening.

NO MORE FEMALE HEAT CYCLES

Female cats as young as four or five months old can go into heat every three weeks, yowling and urinating frequently in search of a mate. Female dogs typically go into heat twice a year, sometimes bleeding and experiencing swelling. Spaying prevents these behaviors.

REDUCES NEGATIVE MATING BEHAVIOR IN MALES 

Unneutered males are more prone to aggression, distraction and frustration. They may try to escape in search of a mate, increasing the risk of getting lost, injured or stolen. They are also more likely to mark territory and exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviors toward people or objects they encounter.

IT HELPS YOUR COMMUNITY

There are millions of homeless pets living on the streets. Dogs and cats are not wild animals with the ability to survive on their own. Many end up in overcrowded shelters, where they face euthanasia or long-term confinement in cages, which is stressful. If you’re considering breeding your pet, remember that it takes homes away from shelter animals waiting to be adopted.

Spaying or neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters, reducing the number of homeless animals. Stray animals can also injure people, destroy property, cause car accidents, kill wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem. Managing this issue places a significant financial burden on local governments and taxpayers.

LONG-TERM COST SAVINGS

Before adopting a pet, consider the financial responsibility, including food, medical care and preventive procedures like spaying or neutering. The cost of these procedures varies based on breed, size and location, typically ranging from $250 to $500, barring complications. 

If you’re adopting from a Colorado shelter, good news—animals are already spayed or neutered. It’s included in the adoption fee! The long-term costs of unexpected litters or medical conditions often outweigh the initial expense of the procedure.

For those with financial constraints, many veterinarians and shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter programs. Organizations like the ASPCA (aspca.org) and the Humane Society (humanesociety.org) provide resources to help pet owners find affordable services. When you make the decision to spay or neuter your pet, make sure the procedure is done by a reputable, licensed veterinarian.

IT’S A GIFT OF LOVE

Choosing to spay or neuter your pet is an act of love that improves your pet’s quality of life and helps reduce the number of homeless animals. It’s a responsible decision that benefits pets, their owners and communities alike.  

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