Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. You might think that these are animals born in the streets or there is something “wrong” with them. But often they are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone’s dog or cat got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed.

Still the result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care. Even if you do find homes for your pet’s puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

Help your community…and yourself

Homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in the neighborhood and bite or attack. Spaying or neutering your pet means that your animal and its potential offspring won’t contribute to the population of unwanted pets.

You can also enjoy your spayed or neutered pet more. Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat. You won’t have the mess that comes with the female reproductive cycle or the boisterous, noisy male suitors. Spaying and neutering may also reduce the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Safe and effective



Licensed veterinarians perform the spay or neuter operation while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet’s age, size and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian’s office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you. If you have a new puppy or kitten, don’t wait! Pets can become parents sooner than you think. Early age spay/neuter is safe and effective, so talk with your veterinarian at your pet’s first visit.

Financial assistance may be available



Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you consider the benefits. It’s a small price to pay to make sure your pet’s offspring aren’t euthanized. For pets living in homes with limited income, reduced cost procedures may be available. Humane societies work with veterinarians to offer subsidized and affordable spay and neuter services in veterinarians offices, in specialized clinics and even in customized mobile units that bring safe, effective spaying and neutering into specific neighborhoods. 

It’s not just for dogs and cats!



When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and often end up in shelters where they must be euthanized. Spaying or neutering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females.

Millions of pet deaths each year are a tragedy—but it can be solved. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

Busy schedules and work commitments prevent many Americans from being able to provide the kind of round-the-clock care that younger animals require. Mature dogs will have likely gone through some basic obedience training and adult cats are more likely to be litter-box trained.

But don’t misunderstand: Although older pets may be less demanding, that’s not to say adult animals don’t require pet parents to be responsible and devoted—all animals require a lifelong commitment.

Animal Attachment

It’s something that shelter workers hear over and over again from people who want to adopt a puppy or kitten: “I want a pet who will bond with my family” or “I want a pet who can grow up with my kids.” The truth is that forming a strong connection with a pet has little to with the animal’s age at the time of adoption.

In addition, adult animals are often a more practical pet for families with children. Bringing together young animals and kids can be problematic, as puppies and kittens sometimes exhibit playful nipping and clawing, which can injure or frighten children. Kids can inadvertently be too rough with young animals. Adopting a mature pet who interacts well with children can be the best option.

The “Aww Factor”

While adorable kittens or pint-sized pooches have the power to seduce just about any animal-lover, it’s important to remember that baby animals quickly become adults. Before giving in to the pull of a young animal, adopters need to remember that every animal up for adoption used to be a baby—and that adult animals can be every bit as sweet, cute and playful as their younger counterparts

What You See…

Anyone who’s ever observed an infant and wondered what he would look like as an adult knows that, without meeting his parents, it would be hard to guess. In the same way, it’s hard to determine what kind of characteristics a puppy or kitten will have until the animal is an adult. In contrast, it’s much easier for potential adopters to get a sense of an mature animal’s qualities—including size, temperament, and personality—and to make a more informed decision based on their expectations.

Good Vibes

Helping a homeless animal will always be a natural high for adopters. But those who choose to adopt an adult pet can take extra comfort in knowing that they’re giving a home to an animal who may otherwise be overlooked. As they age, dogs and cats tend to have an increasingly hard time finding an adoptive family. For many adopters, giving an older animal a home is an act of compassion.

More and more animal-lovers are finding out that their perfect pet isn’t a puppy or kitten but an adult animal. In the process, they’re learning just how easy it is to teach an older pet new tricks—like showing their best friend how to love again.

Too many companion animals competing for too few good homes is the most obvious consequence of uncontrolled breeding. However, there are other equally tragic problems that result from pet overpopulation: the transformation of some animal shelters into “warehouses,” the acceptance of cruelty to animals as a way of life in our society, and the stress that caring shelter workers suffer when they are forced to euthanize one animal after another. Living creatures have become throwaway items to be cuddled when cute and abandoned when inconvenient. Such disregard for animal life pervades and erodes our culture.

Abandoned and stray companion animals who survive in the streets and alleys of cities and suburbs pose a health threat to humans and other animals. Homeless companion animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and anger citizens who have no understanding of their misery or their needs. Some of these animals scare away or prey upon wildlife—such as birds—or frighten small children.

The public health epidemic of dog bites—which number more than 4.5 million each year—is due in part to uncontrolled breeding of pets. Bites by so-called dangerous dogs have drawn an enormous amount of media attention, and fatalities caused by dangerous dogs are a serious concern. Often, the vicious tendencies found in some dog breeds can be attributed to irresponsible breeding without regard for temperament. Neutering can help reduce this aggressive behavior.

Clearly, pet overpopulation is not just a problem for the animals or for the shelters involved. Each year communities are forced to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to cope with the consequences of this surplus of pets. These public costs include services such as investigating animal cruelty, humanely capturing stray animals, and sheltering lost and homeless animals.