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