Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by a veterinarian that renders an animal incapable of reproducing. Here are answers to some questions you may have about this beneficial procedure.

WHAT is spaying/neutering?

• Spaying — is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. The actual procedure as well as monitoring over your pet will usually take about 6-8 hours. Spaying entails removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet.
• Neutering — removing the testicles of your male dog or cat—will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home. The actual procedure as well as monitoring your pet will usually take about 6-8 hours.

WHY spay/neuter?

• Altering a pet removes the risk of testicular and uterine cancer in both cats and dogs.
• Altering a pet at an early age influences a pet’s hormones and thus decreases unwanted behavior, such as marking its territory and wandering/straying in heat.
• Altering a pet greatly reduces overpopulation.
• Altering lends to a longer life for your pet.
• Altering a pet assists with preventing euthanasia at the AC&C shelters.
• Altering a pet helps to do your part with preventing overpopulation.

WHEN to spay/neuter?

• Recommended age is before 6 months old. Both procedures can safely be performed at as early as 8 weeks of age.
• Spaying females before 6 months and preventing the first heat nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer.
• Neutering under 6 months shows less signs of obesity and eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors, infections and reduces the risk of prostate disease. More than 60% of unneutered males over the age of 5 show evidence of prostate enlargement.

WHERE to spay/neuter?

If you are in the New York City area, the ASPCA offers free and low-cost spay/neuter surgery via five Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics that travel to many New York City neighborhoods.  Click here to learn more.