About Spay/Neuter

Spaying or neutering is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet, your family, and your community.

These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your pet to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.

What is spaying and neutering?

The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. The term “neuter,” while more commonly used to refer to the castration of male pets, can be used to describe the sterilization of either female or male pets.

Will my pet’s behavior change after the surgery?

Spay/neuter can result in some behavior changes – for the better! Spayed or neutered pets are often less aggressive, more relaxed, and even more affectionate. Contrary to what some people fear, pets show no signs of “missing” mating or breeding. Rather, they are more content without those raging hormones!

What does it cost?

The cost varies, depending on the veterinarian and size, age, and health of your pet, but spay/neuter is a one-time cost, a bargain when you consider the cost of taking care of litter after litter of puppies or kittens. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the kindness of volunteers, our shelter offers a limited number of vouchers for low-income pet owners.

cost of whelping

But, what if I want my kids to have the experience of raising puppies or kittens?

Contact your local shelter or rescue group and ask if you can sign up as a foster family for expectant or new mothers. While most mothers prefer not to have an audience while they are actually giving birth, your family may be able to play an invaluable role as a foster family for newborn puppies or kittens.

Isn’t it healthier for my pet to have one litter?

Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their ﬁrst heat are typically healthier. Cats can go into heat and get pregnant as early as ﬁve months of age, so it’s important to spay early.

How long does it take for an animal to recover from the procedure?

Depending on your pet’s age, size, and health, he/she may be kept at the vet’s for a few hours or overnight. Your veterinarian can give you more details. The surgery to ﬁx animals is routine, and they generally bounce back fairly quickly.

What are some beneﬁts of spaying and neutering pets?

Healthy Pets.

Spaying and neutering improves your pet’s health, reducing or eliminating the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. Because spay/neuter reduces the tendency to ﬁght with other animals, it also protects your pet from ﬁght-related injuries and from dangerous viruses spread through bite wounds. Spayed/neutered animals wander less and stay closer to home. As a result, they are less likely to be lost or hit by cars.

Happy Families.

Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates spraying (marking objects with a spray of urine), yowling/howling, escaping, and other troublesome behaviors. You won’t have to deal with the mess or the inconvenience of a pet in heat (or a male pet reacting to a female in heat). You’ll be saved a considerable amount of time, money, and hassle (not to mention property damage!) involved in raising litters of puppies or kittens.

Healthy Communities.

Spaying and neutering has a direct impact on the incidence of dog bites in a community. The majority of dog bites (60–80 percent) are caused by intact male dogs. Pregnant or nursing female dogs are more likely to bite as well. Reducing your pet’s likelihood of biting or ﬁghting may also help protect you from potential legal action. Spayed/neutered pets are less likely to engage in behaviors that could cause problems with neighbors.

No More Homeless Pets.

Spaying and neutering directly impacts the number of animals that lose their lives in our shelters and on our streets. Having your pet spayed or neutered frees up homes for homeless pets that are already born. By getting your pet ﬁxed, you are part of the campaign to reach the day when there are truly no more homeless pets!

So, make an appointment today with your veterinarian to spay or neuter your pets. They’ll be happier, and so will you!

More:

Spay/neuter vouchers for low-income residents
Feral and community cat spay/neuter vouchers
Oceanside Animal Clinic: 360-642-2232
You can support spay/neuter by purchasing a “We Love Our Pets” license plate here in Washington. Sales support a grant program serving shelters like ours, to subsidize spay/neuter.

Spaying and Neutering Vouchers

Vouchers are available on a limited basis (thanks, sponsors!).

Follow this link for information on spay/neuter vouchers for low-income residents.

Follow this link for information on our feral and community cat spay/neuter vouchers.

Are you able to support our spaying and neutering programs?