• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Spaying or Neutering is Good for You

• Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
• Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of 6-12 days, often twice a year, in dogs; the cycle lasts 6-7 days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.

Spaying and Neutering are Good for the Community

• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters throughout the region are overburdened with animals.
• Stray pets and homeless animals frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
• Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.

Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.

All of the animals at PAWS are spayed or neutered before they are allowed to go to their new home. This cost is covered in your adoption fee.

If you have an animal that needs to be spayed or neutered, please contact us at 488.0418 and ask about our discounted certificates.

According to The Humane Society of the United States, a fertile cat can have 3 litters of kitten per year. Each litter has an average of 4-6 kittens. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

A fertile dog can have 2 litters of puppies per year. Each litter has an average of 6-10 puppies. In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

Please, spay or neuter your pet.