Protect your furry family members with essential vaccines like rabies, distemper, and FVRCP in Washington, DC.
Call now: 202-888-VETS Limited to the first 100 families—schedule your spot today!

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.
 
Brandywine Valley SPCA
DC Village Animal Resource Center   
*Coming soon  
    4 DC Village Lane SW  
    Washington, DC 20032
    202-888-VETS (8387)
    BVSPCA DC Animal Control & Services

Spay Now Animal Surgery Clinic - Laurel
       8335 Guilford Rd. Unit A[SS1] 
       Columbia, MD 21046
       (301) 483-7080
       spaynow.com 

Spay Spot
       3750 Brown Station Rd
       Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
       (301) 254-8151
       thespayspot.org/1311.html

Service Location:
Brandywine Valley SPCA
1201 New York Ave NE.
(202) 888-PETS (7387)

DCHealth HQ Contact Information: