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Why Spay and Neuter?
Spaying and neutering helps reverse the tragedy of pet overpopulation, reduces your pet's
chances of developing deadly, costly medical problems, and improves your pet's behavior.
Too many homeless, hopeless animals...
Of the more than 30 million puppies and kittens born in the U.S. each year, only one in 10
finds a permanent home, according to the American Humane Association. The rest die of
cruelty, starvation, disease, poisoning, or accidents, or they end up in a shelter. Less
than 35% of shelter animals are adopted. Some 6 to 8 million adoptable dogs and cats were
euthanized (humanely killed) last year. The primary causes of this tragedy: people who
fail to have their pets spayed or neutered, and who abandon or give up pets because of
lack of commitment to training the pet.
Sterilization of companion animals is the key to reducing this tragedy. Communities that
have established sterilization programs have seen the number of pets euthanized drop by 30
to 60%.
Advantages for you and your pet
Neutered/spayed pets are less aggressive, less likely to fight, and less likely to bite,
as documented in studies.
Neutered/spayed pets (especially males) are less territorial and less likely to roam.
Research indicates that 80% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered males.
Neutered pets are less likely to mark furniture and rugs with urine.
Spayed females will not have heat cycles that soil rugs and furniture and usually shed
less fur.
Neutered pets can't develop testicular tumors, the second most common malignancy in males,
and have a lower incidence of prostate cancer, which is better for your pet and means
lower medical bills.
Spayed females typically stay healthier and live longer. They have a lower incidence of
mammary tumors and no uterine or ovarian cancers, which is better for your pet and means
lower medical bills.
Sterilization does not change the pet's personality or cause weight gain.
Removing the urge to mate focuses more of a pet's attention on the caregiver, aiding in
training.
Sterilized pets behave better.
Sources: American Humane Association, Humane Society of the United States, Cornell
University's DogWatch
When to spay/neuter
Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age. That's why pets
should be spayed or neutered by age 6 months. Sterilization can safely be done before that
age, as endorsed by the AVMA; the chief veterinarian of the Humane Society of the United
States recommends 4 months as ideal. Older pets can safely be sterilized as well. This
routine surgical procedure removes the reproductive organs. It does not cause the pet pain
or stress, and most pets recover within a day.
Every litter matters.
You can make a difference!
Teach children the true meaning of responsible pet ownership and love by sterilizing your
pets to prevent the birth of more homeless animals.
Adopt a homeless pet.
Spay or neuter a local stray.
Tell others the good reasons to spay and neuter pets.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to spay or neuter your pet today. Or contact
local low-cost spay/neuter sources:
Spaying and neutering your pets will help reverse the tragedy of pet over-population AND
improve the health (and reduce long-term medical costs) of your pet. In addition, neutered
males behave better, are less prone to escape and show aggression, and mark less. The best
time to spay/neuter for your pet's health/recovery time and your budget is between four
and six months of age.
Below are listed a number of groups that offer low-cost spay and neuter services in the
Maryland, Washington, and Virginia area. Please note: the costs listed below are based on
recent information but may no longer be in effect. Please check with the veterinarian or
shelter for the current costs. In addition, costs may rise if the animal is pregnant, in
heat, or if other complications arise.
MARYLAND
SNAP, Inc.
PO Box 686
Chesapeake City, MD 21915
410-885-5783
Serving MD, DE, & PA. A money order and self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany
mail orders. No checks. Call for credit card orders or details. Any veterinarian can
accept SNAP certificates and will be reimbursed all but $1 of the above charges. Current
fees: Male cat $20, female cat $35; male dog $35, female dog $50.
Prince George's SPCA
301-262-5625, mailbox 6
Low-cost spay/neutering and low-cost shots. Open to anybody; prices are discounted 10 to
50% with 20-25 participating vets in the county.
Animal Welfare Society/Howard County
8556 Davis Rd., Columbia MD
410-465-4350
Low-cost spay/neutering program; low-cost shots, heartworm and feleuk testing at time of
s/n. Current fees: Male cat $25, female cat $50; male dog $50-60, female dog $60-70; $5
rabies. Open 3 days a week.
Montgomery County Humane Society
14645 Rothgeb Dr.
Rockville, MD
301-279-6999
Low-cost spay/neuter program for use by people with low incomes.
Montgomery County SPCA
PO Box 637, Gaithersburg, MD 20880
301-948-4266
Frederick County Humane Society
1832 Rosemont Ave.
Frederick, MD 21702
301-694-1545
Humane Society of Baltimore County
1601 Nicodemus Rd.
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-4480 or 410-833-8848
Spay Inc.
PO Box 3240
Arlington, VA 22203
703-522-7920 or 703-521-2677
Help for residents of Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
Lucky Ones
Southern MD 301-884-2850
WASHINGTON DC
Washington Humane Society
7315 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20012
202-88-ALTER (202-882-5837) or 202-723-5730
Current fees: $25-35 cats; $45-65 dogs
Washington Animal Rescue League
71 Oglethorpe St., NW
Washington, DC 20011
202-726-2273
Low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary services for pets of low income people who qualify.
Current fees: $35 cats, $35-55 dogs according to weight.
Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic
Feral Cat Coalition of the Metropolitan Washington Area
PO Box 7504
Arlington, VA 22207
703-538-1921 or 703-243-7014
Low-cost spay/neuter, testing, and vaccinations for feral or stray cats.
Spay Inc.
PO Box 3240
Arlington, VA 22203
703-522-7920 or 703-521-2677
Help for residents of Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
VIRGINIA
Alexandria Animal Shelter
Alexandria, VA
703-838-4775
No restrictions on income.
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Arlington, VA
703-931-9241
4 Paws Rescue Team
703-912-5060 or 540-439-2260
Feral Cat Program Spay/Neuter Clinic
Feral Cat Coalition of the Metropolitan Washington Area
PO Box 7504
Arlington, VA 22207
703-538-1921 or 703-243-7014
Low-cost spay/neuter, testing, and vaccinations for feral or stray cats.
Meower Power
Feral Cat Coalition
PO Box 8015, Portsmouth, VA 23707
757-399-0001
Low-cost or free feral spay/neuter.
For the Love of Animals in Goochland
PO Box 115
Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
804-342-6975
Charlottesville SPCA
PO Box 7047
Charlottesville, VA 22906
804-973-5959
Discounts according to income of pet owner.
Spay Inc. PO Box 3240
Arlington, VA 22203
703-522-7920 or 703-521-2677
Help for residents of Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
NATIONWIDE
Friends of Animals
777 Post Rd., Suite 205
Darien, CT 06820
800-321-7387 or 203-656-1522
Friends of Animals will send an order form and a directory of participating veterinarians
nationwide.
Spay/USA
North Shore Animal League Intl.
14 Vanderventer Ave., Suite L-1
Port Washington, NY 10050
800-248-SPAY or 516-883-7575
Call Spay/USA for participating vet names, phone numbers, and prices in your area.
Compiled by Robin Tierney
Last updated 22 Sep 1999 CLI
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768
www.paw-rescue.org
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