Spaying is a surgical procedure which removes the ovaries and uterus (womb) from female animals. This ensures that females will not breed and pregnancy cannot occur.

Neutering is a surgical procedure which removes the testicles from male animals. This ensures that males will not breed and cause pregnancy.

Why Spay or Neuter?

Each day in Saskatoon, about 20 cats and dogs are humanely euthanized because there are no homes for them. The Saskatoon SPCA believes that spaying/neutering education programs are a vital part of our efforts to reduce animal overpopulation.

Other benefits of spaying and neutering are:

• pet owners will not be faced with the difficult task of finding responsible, caring and permanent homes for unwanted litters

• fewer unwanted puppies and kittens born means fewer will have to be euthanized at the SPCA shelter. Remember, even if you are able to find homes for your litter, that just means there are fewer homes available for all the other homeless animals at the shelter

• surgery reduces the incidence of territorial spraying and other negative behaviors (i.e. wandering, fighting, howling, etc.)

• spaying prevents the possibility of womb infection and reduces the likelihood of mammary cancer

• neutering will prevent testicular cancer and reduce prostate gland disease

Myths and Facts about spaying and neutering

SPCA Spay/Neuter Policy

All cats, dogs, and ferrets adopted from the Saskatoon SPCA must be sterilized either before the adoption or within a specified time limit after the adoption.

The basis for this policy is that animal overpopulation is considered to be the number one killer of animals.

When a person adopts an unaltered animal from the SPCA, the cost of spaying/neutering that animal will be included in the adoption fee.

When Should Surgery Be Performed?

In order to ensure that unwanted pregnancies do not occur, it is advisable to have an animal spayed or neutered before 6 months of age (before its first heat cycle in females) or at veterinarian’s discretion. "Pediatric" spaying and neutering has become common, which is performing the surgery when the animal is approximately 8 weeks old. At this young age, they recover very quickly from the surgery.

The following is reprinted from Denver Dumb Friends League

Are you thinking of breeding your pet? Are you unsure as to whether you want to have your pet sterilized or don't think that it's necessary? Then here's something you should know: Spaying or neutering your pet can help it live a longer, healthier life. It's true! Studies have shown that spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop reproductive-related health problems. In fact, the earlier in life that a dog or cat is altered, the better.

Another benefit to having a spayed or neutered dog or cat is that your pet won't stray away from home to search for a mate. Also, without the urge to mate, your pet is more likely to focus on you, resulting in a closer bond with your animal companion.

Consider this: If your pet roams away to find a mate, it faces the dangers of getting hit by a car, encountering people who might abuse it, getting in to a fight with another animal, catching a disease from another animal and other perils.

Spaying or neutering your pet also helps to eliminate the pet overpopulation problem. Since there are not enough good homes for all of the pets that are born, it's important that you prevent your pet from reproducing.

Even if you can place all of the puppies or kittens that your pet may have, you cannot guarantee that those animals won't reproduce. If they do, you won't be able to control whether those litters will be placed in good homes.

Another benefit to having your dog or cat spayed or neutered is that most animal control agencies offer reduced licensing fees for sterilized pets.

Also, spaying or neutering your pet is affordable! Look through the "yellow pages" and ask for references from other pet owners you know to find the veterinarian whose services and fees are just right for you.

Questions & Answers

Q: Isn't it dangerous for "Shadow" to undergo a spay or neuter surgery?
A: No. Millions of cats and dogs have been safely spayed or neutered by veterinarians across the country. The surgery is common and routine for most veterinarians. If you're concerned about the procedure, be sure to have your veterinarian thoroughly explain the steps of the surgery to you.

Q: If I have "Sammy" sterilized, won't he become fat and lazy?
A: Pets that have been spayed or neutered can be just as active as unsterilized pets. Remember that any pet can gain weight if it's not provided with appropriate nutrition and adequate exercise.

Q: Isn't it healthier for "Misty" if I breed her once?
A: No. Female dogs and cats are less likely to develop medical complications in their senior years if they've never been bred or experienced any estrus cycles.

Q: Won't "Jake's" personality change if I have him neutered?
A: No. The basic personality of your dog or cat won't change when it's sterilized.

Q: Wouldn't it be great for my kids to witness the miracle of life by letting "Bitsy" have a litter?
A: The birth of a litter of puppies, kittens or other small pets is truly miraculous. However, it's equally important to teach children about being responsible for these lives. Since this litter will add to the pet overpopulation problem and there's no guarantee that they or any of their future litters will have good, permanent homes, what other lesson will your child be learning from this experience? Homeless pets that already exist desperately need your help in teaching kids about responsibility to animals and respect for all life.