Spay & Neuter Saves Lives — No Excuses, No “Accidents”

Every single day, shelters across the country are overflowing. Healthy, adoptable dogs and cats are being euthanized simply because there is no space. It is not because people do not care. It is because there are too many animals and not enough homes.

One of the most important ways we can prevent this heartbreaking reality is simple: spay and neuter your pets.

There is no such thing as an “accidental” pregnancy. If your pet is unaltered, it is not a matter of if, it is when. A female dog or cat can get pregnant the very first time she comes into heat, and males can impregnate females at just a few months old. Animals do not understand family planning. That is our job.

Why it matters:

Fewer homeless animals. Every litter born adds to the problem. Even if you “find them homes,” that is fewer homes available for animals already in shelters.

Health benefits. Spaying or neutering can prevent serious medical issues like pyometra, certain cancers, and hormone-driven behaviors.

Behavioral benefits. It can reduce roaming, marking, and aggression in many animals.

For stray or feral cats and dogs, trap and release (TNR) programs are vital to break the cycle of reproduction. For pregnant animals in overcapacity systems, spay aborts may be the most humane choice to prevent entire litters from being born only to face neglect, illness, or euthanasia.

Unaltered pets do not need “just one litter” for any reason. That is a myth. What they do need is a loving, responsible home that keeps them safe and out of the cycle of unwanted litters.

If you love your pet, protect them. Spay. Neuter. Save lives.