The responsibility of saving a life doesn’t end in providing food and shelter for your pet. This also means making sure they live a long, comfortable, and happy life. Whether you got yourself a playful puppy or a curious cat, spaying and neutering them is a choice you will eventually have to face.

Choosing to do so is a decision that will benefit you, your pet, and the whole community.

What is Spaying VS Neutering

The difference is in the animal’s sex. Spaying is a surgical operation for females to remove the uterus and ovaries, while neutering is a surgery for males to remove the testes. Both procedures are done to prevent reproduction. The best time to spay or neuter a dog or cat varies depending on factors like age, breed, size, and health status.

According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), cats can generally be spayed or neutered as early as 8 weeks. While for dogs, it’s between 6 months to 1 year. For older pets, it’s never too late, and the procedure would still be beneficial for them.

Why choose to spay and neuter?

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t lead to your pet gaining weight, if that’s what you’re worried about. We’ll discuss how spaying and neutering will lead you to greater good than any harm.

1. It prevents life-threatening illnesses

Female and male cats and dogs each face different health risks when they remain unspayed or unneutered.

Spaying prevents breast cancer, mammary gland tumors, and uterine infections that can come with their heat and can be fatal. It’s best to spay them before their first.

Neutering prevents testicular cancer and potential prostate infection and enlargement that can cause pain. It’s best done before six months of age.

2. It improves their behavior

It makes them calmer and easier to train. Neutering your male pets will decrease their hormonal aggression. This means they’ll be less likely to get into fights and less likely to get injuries. If your dog has a humping problem, neutering them could help.

For females, spaying will stop their heat cycles altogether. Cats tend to yowl to attract males when they’re in heat, so this will also save your ears. They’ll be less likely to get unwanted male attention and pregnancies.

3. It lessens roaming risks

The last thing any pet owner wants is their pet getting lost. Spaying and neutering will save you a lot of stress and heartache, as fixed pets would be less driven to run off and find a mate.

This will also make them safer from getting into fights, traffic accidents, being exposed to diseases, and, not to mention, anyone with malicious intent who would harm them.

4. It saves you money in the long run

While the cost of spaying and neutering greatly depends on your location, the sex, size, and health of your pet, it will always be well worth the investment. Plus, there are clinics that offer low-cost spay and neuter services to help with overpopulation.

You’ll be saving up on expensive treatments for reproductive illnesses that include surgery and medication, and possible accidents that may result in emergency vet visits that could easily rack up

5. It helps fight overpopulation

The Shelter Animals Count approximated that 366,000 shelter animals were euthanized or lost and died while in care so far in 2025, and unfortunately, there are not enough resources to give them all what they need.

Think of this: One unspayed female cat and her kittens can produce over 400,000 kittens in 7 years.

One unspayed female dog and her puppies can produce over 60,000 puppies in 6 years.

Many unwanted animals end up never getting adopted. Many don’t even end up in a shelter at all, but rather, stay in the streets. Sparing one female cat or dog from unwanted pregnancies by spaying would also save thousands from a life of harsh living conditions.

Choosing to spay and neuter your pet is an act of love and the responsible choice for every pet owner. If you’re unsure about the right time to spay or neuter your pet, talk to your veterinarian, and they’ll assess and assist you on the best approach for your furry friend.

From sparing your pet from pain and yourself from the heartache and bank-breaking costs of treating dangerous diseases, to doing your part in easing the heartbreaking effects of overpopulation, the benefits are clear and reach far into the community and your pet’s future.

You can support GARC’s spay and neuter assist program by donating or learn more about other ways to give.

References:

Master, W. (2024, May 31). Spay/Neuter: Why It’s Vital for Pet Population Control and Health. SPCA of Northern Nevada. https://spcanevada.org/spay-neuter-why-its-vital-for-pet-population-contorl-and-health/

Jones, E. (2024, December 28). When is the Right Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet? The Latest 2024 Guidelines from WSAVA – Ace of Spays. Ace of Spays. https://aceofspaysatx.com/when-is-the-right-time-to-spay-or-neuter-your-pet/

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. (2025b, February 28). Benefits of spaying and neutering your pets. Ross Vet. https://veterinary.rossu.edu/about/blog/why-spay-and-neuter-pets

Landsberg, G. M., & Denenberg, S. (2025, April 7). Behavioral problems of dogs. MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-dogs

Shelter Animals Count. (2025, September 5). 2025 Mid-Year Report – Shelter animals count. https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/explore-the-data/2025-mid-year-report