February is Pet Spay & Neuter Awareness Month. This topic is important to the health and safety of your individual pets and the overpopulation of pets in shelters everywhere. Here’s an overview.

What is spaying an neutering? It’s a simple, basic procedure that removes the reproductive organs from female and male pets. Spaying is associated with females and neutering is associated with males.  Most often the operation is performed when an animal is very young before they are even adopted by their forever family.

In some cases, particularly if you are working with a rescue group who has not already included this as part of the adoption it may be a requirement for the family to do this shortly after bringing the pet home.

There are both medical and behavioral benefits to the surgery.  Medical benefits include helping to prevent uterine infections and breast tumors that can lead to cancer or cause infection in females. Neutering prevents testicular cancer and prostate problems for males.

Behaviorally, your spayed pet won’t go into heat. Heat can include excess urination, bleeding and mood swings. A neutered pet is often less aggressive and won’t spray urine.  They also tend not to stray away from home while they are looking for a new friend.

In addition of course to your individual pets health and behavior benefits, it eliminates the possibility of adding to the already overtaxed shelter system which is good for everybody.

Spay and neuter your pets so they live a long and healthy life. Woof!