
What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when females are spayed before the first heat cycle.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease in males.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
• Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions, but leaves the animal’s natural guarding behavior.
• Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Heat cycles last an average of six to twelve days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals. Spaying and neutering can help reduce animal control facilities' euthanasia rate.
• Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people.
• Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics in our Area
If you have made the decision to spay or neuter your pet, there are low cost clinics that can be utilized in the DC/MD/VA area.
Humane Rescue Alliance Medical Center
71 Oglethorpe Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 723-5730, extension 205
or email [email protected]
http://www.humanerescuealliance.org/spay-neuter
Spay Now Animal Surgery Clinic - Laurel
7401 Van Dusen Rd
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 483-7080
https://www.spaynow.com
Spay Spot
3750 Brown Station Rd
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 780-7203
http://www.thespayspot.org/1311.html