As animal shelters across the country face record numbers of homeless animals, spaying and neutering pets has become more critical than ever.
These simple yet powerful procedures offer more than just health benefits for our pets — they are key to preventing unplanned litters and reducing the overwhelming strain on our shelters. By making the choice to spay or neuter, pet owners not only invest in their pets’ health, but also support the well-being of their communities.
Consider the story of Penguin, a 9-year-old Siberian husky who came to San Diego Humane Society this summer suffering from a large mass on her stomach. Luckily, the mass turned out to be a benign mammary tumor, which could be surgically removed. But had Penguin been spayed, the mass would have been far less likely to develop in the first place.
Penguin’s story is just one example of how spaying and neutering can protect your pet’s health. These routine surgeries can significantly reduce the risk of cancers and infections, as well as behavioral issues — such as aggression and territorial behavior — that can impact a pet’s quality of life.
Beyond individual health benefits, spaying and neutering are crucial to addressing the surge of animals entering shelters. This summer, San Diego Humane Society took in a record number of puppies, with an average of over 180 puppies in their care daily. Even breeds rarely seen in shelters, such as goldendoodles, French bulldogs and dalmatians are filling their kennels.
The most common reason puppies are arriving to shelters is due to surprise litters. In October, 10 little pups wound up at San Diego Humane Society when an owner took in a dog not knowing she was pregnant, and quickly became overwhelmed by the unexpected litter.
While puppies often get adopted quickly, the resources needed for their care can overwhelm shelters and keep the adult pets waiting for adoption.
With these record numbers of puppies filling shelters, responsible pet ownership has never been more urgent. However, the cost of spay and neuters can be a barrier for many.
Fortunately, organizations like San Diego Humane Society offer resources to make these services accessible. Their Community Spay/Neuter Program offers low-cost appointments each week to qualified individuals.
Additionally, every pet adopted from San Diego Humane Society is already spayed or neutered, saving new owners significant expense.
They also offer a limited number of spay and neuter vouchers to use at local veterinary clinics, and a list of resources for other low-cost options across San Diego County.
For more information, visit sdhumane.org/spay.
