Best Friends Animal Society™

to learn how you can keep good pets

from becoming bad statistics.

What is spaying and neutering?

The words “spay” and “neuter” refer to the surgical sterilization of female and male pets by removing reproductive organs.

Why Four Months?

Because pets can get pregnant much sooner than most people think — kittens as early as four months and puppies as early as six months — over half of the more than 70,000 puppies and kittens born every day are the result of accidental litters. This is mostly due to the confusion over when to spay and neuter.

Isn’t four months too young?

Actually, pets can be fixed safely as young as eight weeks. And younger pets tend to bounce back quicker from the procedure. Because pet health may vary, please check with your veterinarian to find the best time to spay or neuter your pet.

Is fixing my pet dangerous?

While both spaying and neutering are major medical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries practiced by veterinarians. Your pet will have a thorough examination before undergoing the procedure to make sure they are healthy enough for surgery.

Will my pet be in a lot of pain?

Your pet will be under anesthesia for the procedure, and usually mild pain-control medications easily manage any discomfort resulting from the procedure. Recovery from the surgery is surprisingly quick. In fact, most dogs and cats are back to normal within 24 to 48 hours.

Is spaying or neutering a pet expensive?

Costs vary by community, but you can usually find a veterinarian who will fix your dog for less than $150 and your cat for less than $50. That’s much less than the costs of properly caring for a pregnant pet and the resulting litter of puppies or kittens. Or the cost paid by taxpayers to support shelters that must care for and kill homeless animals if an adoption family cannot be found.

Will my pet get fat?

Just like people, pets become overweight from improper nutrition or lack of exercise. Good diet and exercise can help keep your pet healthy.

Will my pet’s personality change?

Spaying or neutering is unlikely to change temperament, basic personality or levels of playfulness and general activity. However, it can have a positive effect as some behavioral issues — especially sexual behaviors such as mounting, howling and the urge to roam — are reduced following surgery. And despite what some believe, pets show no signs of “missing” mating or breeding.

If only female pets can get pregnant, why should I fix my male?

“It takes two to tango,” as they say, so males are every bit as much a part of the problem as females. Plus, male pets are more likely to run away in search of a mate, which puts them at a much higher risk of disease and injury.

Will my male pet feel emasculated?

This is a human feeling — not one that your dog or cat experiences. They may, however, be less likely to exhibit sexual-related behaviors such as marking and howling.

Do I need to wait for my pet to go into her first heat?

There is no medical research that proves it’s healthier to wait until your dog or cat has gone into heat. In fact, spaying them before their first heat greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancers and reproductive-related diseases. And if done properly, spaying and neutering at any age can eliminate or reduce the development of reproductive organ tumors.

How old is too old to spay or neuter my pet?

Dogs and cats can be fixed at any time during their life span. Your veterinarian can address any concerns there might be about performing the procedure on an older pet.

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Get the facts on getting your fix.
Are your pets attracting unwanted attention?
Those cute little fuzz balls can get pregnant sooner than you think.
Don’t let good pets become bad statistics.
It’s time to take oops out of the equation.
Accidental litters can happen sooner than you think.
Fact: 50% of all pets born are accidents. Prevent more.
Billions of tax $ are spent on homeless animals. Prevent more.
Your puppy could be old enough to have puppies.
Your kitten could be old enough to have kittens.
One number can save thousands of lives.
Accidental litters lead to millions of pets killed in shelters. Prevent more.
They may look innocent, but accidental litters happen sooner than you think.
Your pets may start fooling around sooner than you think.

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DONATE NOW ABOUT BEST FRIENDS

It’s easy to make a difference in the lives of innocent puppies and kittens. Click the buttons to learn more about Best Friends and make a donation.

Best Friends Animal Society has a mission of bringing about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. In addition to operating the nation’s largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals, they also provide adoption, spay/neuter and educational programs throughout the United States. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer of the “no-kill” shelter movement, and has a history of involvement in high profile animal welfare projects:

Best Friends members and volunteers spent 249 days in and around New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, leading efforts to rescue and transport more than 6,000 injured and displaced pets.
Their canine rehabilitation program was awarded custody of 22 of the most special-needs dogs seized from NFL player Michael Vick.
The sanctuary was the location of the National Geographic Channel television series DogTown.
Best Friends magazine, published bimonthly, is the nation’s largest general-interest, pet-related magazine, with approximately 300,000 subscribers.

With support and assistance from caring individuals like you, Best Friends aims to stop animals from being killed in shelters all across the country by supporting spay/neuter programs, rescuing dogs from puppy mills, promoting legislation that helps animals, fighting breed discrimination, offering free assistance to rescue groups across the nation and much, much more. Learn more.

Choose one of the options below to find the best source for getting your pet spayed or neutered.

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For a list of Best Friends clinics in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City or No More Homeless Pets Network Partners nationwide, click one of the links below:
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