Spaying/Neutering Facts and Information

What does it means to spay or neuter your pet?

Spaying/neutering is a simple surgery that will sterilize or "fix" your pet so it cannot reproduce.

What does the term "spay" mean?

Spaying refers to the sterilization procedure that is done to female cats and dogs. During this surgery, the female reproductive organs are removed.

Once your female pet has been spayed, it will not go into "heat" and it will not become pregnant.

What does the term "neuter" mean?

Neutering refers to the sterilization procedure for male cats and dogs. During this surgery, the male reproductive organs (testes) are removed and it will be unable to impregnate a female.

Why is spaying/neutering important?

Spaying and neutering is the single most important thing that pet owners can do, not only for their dogs and cats, but for society as a whole.

Pet overpopulation is a critical problem in Broward County and across the United States. Each year, unwanted puppies and kittens are abandoned. They then become injured and killed because they are homeless and lack proper care, shelter and food. 

Statistics show that for every person that is born, fifteen dogs and forty-five cats are also born. To keep up with the current flood of puppies and kittens, every person would have to own two dogs and six cats during their entire lifetime (assuming that people live for 75 year and dogs and cats live for 10). Therefore, a household of five people would have to own ten dogs and thirty cats!

What other benefits are there to spaying and neutering?

The benefits of spaying and neutering are numerous and include:

• Improved health and longer life. Pets that have been sterilized live longer and healthier lives. They are less susceptible to diseases such as cancer.
• Reduced medical bills. Because your pet will be healthier it will not have to go to the veterinarian as often. In addition, a spayed female will not be able to become pregnant, eliminating the need for trips to the vet before, during and after her pregnancy.
• No unwanted puppies and kittens. Spaying and neutering permanently removes the chances that your female dog or cat will become pregnant.
• Less biting and aggressiveness. Dogs and cats that have not been fixed tend to be more aggressive and exhibit other undesirable behavior. They also tend to fight among each other more. Instead, pet owners report that their dogs and cats are more affectionate once they are spayed or neutered.
• Less roaming. Unsterilized males and females will often wander outside of their regular territory in search of a mate. This need to roam is dangerous since it greatly increases their chances of becoming lost, injured or killed.
• Less spraying and marking. A neutered male will tend to spray its area less. Messy spotting is also eliminated once a female is spayed.
• Lower license fees. In Broward County, annual pet license fees are significantly lower for a dog or cat that has been spayed or neutered. This results in tremendous savings over the life of your pet.

How much does it cost to spray or neuter my pet?

Because pet overpopulation is such a problem here in Broward County, there are many low-cost alternatives available to pet owners.

• Broward County Animal Care and Regulation offers the S.P.O.T. Program for low-to-moderate income county residents. Under this program, spaying/neutering is offered to qualified pet owners for $10.
• The Humane Society of Broward County has a variety of different programs which provide low cost or free spay/neuters to the public. In addition, they have a Mobile Spay/Neuter Services Unit that travels throughout the county providing spay/neuter to the public. Contact them at 954-989-3977 for more information.
• The Pet Aid League of Broward County consists of more than 20 veterinarians who will provide low-cost spaying and neutering. For more information call 954-463-7729.
• SPAY/USA, is a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services. They can be reached at www.spayusa.org or 1-800-248-7729.

Will my pet have to stay overnight at the clinic?

No. Spaying/neutering is out-patient surgery. Most pets are able to go home the same day.

Is my pet put under sedation during the procedure?

Yes, your pet will be given a general anesthetic.

Will I have to take the stitches out?

Most veterinarians will want to have a follow-up visit with your pet in order to check the healing process and remove the stitches. Some clinics might even use stitches that will dissolve over time. This will prevent the need for the stitches to be removed.

Can my pet be spayed/neutered while it is in heat?

It is possible to get your pet spayed or neutered while it is in heat

Will my pet become overweight if it is spayed/neutered?

No. Overweight pets result from overeating and a lack of exercise. Spaying and neutering actually increases their lifespan and overall health.

Isn't it healthier for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter?

No. There is no reason -- medical or otherwise -- for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter before being spayed. In fact, this thought process only adds to the pet overpopulation problem. In addition, your female pet could encounter complications during her pregnancy that could put her life at risk.