OHS Position Statement: Spay/Neuter (Sexual Sterilization) of Dogs and Cats
Spay (female) and Neuter (male) of dogs and cats is a necessary requirement for both the effective control of the unwanted animal population as well providing benefits to animal health.
The OHS supports:
- The sterilization of dogs and cats not intended for responsible breeding purposes.
- Early (prepubertal) spay/neuter of cats and dogs.
- That all licensing authorities offer differential rates for licensing and/or identification of sterilized versus unsterilized dogs and cats. Providing a rate differential has been proven to increase the number of spay/neutered dogs and cats, reducing the number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats, as well as the costs for municipal enforcement and animal control.
- That all organizations involved in the sale or adoption of dogs and cats incorporate a spay/neuter program as part of their sale or adoption procedures.
Spay/neuter not only aids in reducing pet overpopulation but also carries additional behavioral and health benefits for dogs and cats. These benefits include the elimination of sexual behaviours (marking, aggression, roaming, etc) that can lead to traumatic injuries as well as a reduction in the risk of some diseases under hormonal influence (cancers, prostatic diseases). As for all veterinary procedures, owners should consult with their veterinarians to discuss the implications of and optimum age for spay/neuter for their pet.
Having your dog or cat spayed or neutered is not only an essential component of responsible pet ownership but also an important civic duty as a responsible citizen. Spay/neutering is the most effective means of decreasing proliferation of unwanted dogs and cats as well as providing considerable health benefits.
