THE BENEFITS OF EARLY
SPAYING AND NEUTERING
Introduction
In six years one unspayed female dog, her offspring and their puppies, if none get spayed or neutered, can produce up to
67,000 dogs. In the same six years one unspayed female cat, her kittens and their kittens can add up to 73,000 cats. There will
never be enough good homes for all of these unwanted pets. Humane shelters will continue to euthanize millions of healthy cats
and dogs each year for no reason other than homes cannot be found for them. The most effective solution to help solve the
unwanted pet euthanasia dilemma is pet sterilization at the time of shelter adoption-including "early" spaying and neutering. The
term early (or juvenile) neutering refers to the surgical altering of a pet's reproductive organs at 6 weeks of age or older.
Changing Views on Early Spay/Neutering
By performing early neutering at the time of adoption, the new owner and the humane shelter have both done their part to ensure
that a pet's offspring will not be back at that same shelter in 6 months! Many progressive shelters now endorse this policy. In
1991, after careful evaluation of scientific data, the American Humane Association became the first national organization to
endorse early spaying and neutering of puppies and kittens. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American
Animal Hospital Association quickly followed suit and believe the practice to be a safe, effective tool to help end pet
overpopulation.
With the advancement of medical knowledge over the past 10 years, informed veterinarians have changed their views on the
appropriate age for pet spaying and neutering. Doctors at large and prestigious veterinary hospitals and humane shelters such as
Boston's Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, and the Los Angeles SPCA, the Miami Humane Society, and the Harrison
Memorial Animal Hospital of Denver have performed thousands of early spay/neuter surgeries with excellent results.
There are three important points to consider
1. There are no substantial medical or behavioral reasons to wait until puberty.
2. New owners do not have to worry about complying with the terms of a shelter's spay/neuter deposits.
3. Owners will not have to worry about their new puppy or kitten reaching sexual maturity as early as 4 months of age.
Common Questions Pet Owners have about Early Spay/Neutering
Q. What are the Anesthetic and Surgical differences between an adult and a 6 week old dog or cat?
A. Adult pets need to be restricted from food for 8-12 hours prior to surgery, whereas puppies and kittens require only a 2
hour restriction. The anesthesia is by inhalant gas, and vital functions are monitored. Minimal fat and bleeding make the surgery
easier and faster in the juvenile patient, and quicker healing shortens recovery period.
Q. Will Early Spay/Neutering affect the health and growth of our pet?
A. Extensive studies and research by Dr. Mark Bloomberg, DVM, DACVS and Chief of Staff at the University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine show that there are no difference in immune function, growth rates and final size, and urinary
tract function and disease rates in juvenile versus adult spay/neuter cases.
Q. Will Early Spay/Neutering affect the behavior of our pets?
A. Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Certified Animal Behaviorist, studied and reviewed research on early spay/neuter pets. No behavioral
conditions develop as a result of early spay/neuter, and undesirable behaviors such as urine marking, aggression, and roaming
are much less likely to develop with these patients.
Many humane shelters across the country now endorse spaying and neutering at the time of adoption. Euthanasia takes its toll on
everyone. Consider the case for early spaying and neutering as the key part of the solution to end unnecessary destruction of
healthy and adoptable cats and dogs.
Note: Information on this page is taken directly from the video tape "The Case for Early Neutering", produced by the American Humane
Association, 63 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112, copyright 1996.
A MESSAGE ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING YOUR DOG
(please read
policy
before filling out an application)
Northeastern Boxer Rescue has a firm policy of not
adopting any of our dogs into a home that presently has a
dog that has not been spayed or neutered. Unless there is
a specific medical reason, verified by your dog's
veterinarian, this is a non-negotiable
policy.