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By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help address the pet homelessness crisis. Millions of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year simply because there are not enough homes available. There are also significant medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets).

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Medical Benefits:

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• Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous 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.

• Neutering your male pet prevents testicular cancer and can reduce the risk of certain prostate problems.

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Behavioral Benefits:

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• Your spayed female pet will not go into heat. While cycles can vary, female cats typically go into heat for four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to attract mates, they may yowl and urinate more frequently, sometimes throughout the house.

• Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male may go to great lengths to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once roaming, he is at increased risk of injury from traffic or fights with other animals.

• Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark territory by spraying strong-smelling urine. Neutering may reduce mounting behaviors toward other animals, people, and objects. Some aggression-related behaviors may also be reduced through early neutering.