But what impact does spay/neuter really have on pet overpopulation?
Back in 1970, before spaying and neutering became commonplace, 15 million shelter animals were euthanized in the United States in an average year. Fast forward to 2019 — the last “normal” year before the pandemic — and that number significantly dropped to just over a million. While still too high, the reduction is remarkable and due largely to aggressive spay/neuter campaigns including shelters sterilizing animals before adopting into their forever homes. While APF continues to have one of the highest live-release rates in the nation, we are seeing the numbers of euthanized shelter animals climbing 10% to 15% per year according to Shelter Animals Count, a nationwide database that tracks euthanasia.
Beyond population control, numerous studies indicate health benefits from spaying and neutering our beloved pets. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and reduces the risk of mammary tumors in females, while neutering can prevent testicular cancer and reduce the risk of prostate problems in males.
From our experience, many unaltered pets surrendered to the APF display behaviors that strain the bond between them and their owners. Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to engage in problematic behaviors such as roaming, spraying and aggression, making them more pleasant companions.
In addition to immediate health and behavioral advantages, spaying and neutering also carry financial benefits. The costs associated with responsibly caring for an unplanned litter of puppies or kittens, including vaccinations, food and veterinary care, can quickly soar into the thousands along with other veterinary expenses such as an emergency C-section or post-delivery complications.
At APF, our Community Spay/Neuter Clinic specializes in these procedures, providing high-quality spay and neuter services at an affordable cost.
“We perform many thousands of surgeries per year at APF, making us highly proficient in dealing with any type of sterilization, from tiny pediatric kittens to large-breed female dog spays,” said Jackie Kucskar, APF’s veterinary medical director. “Our team takes great pride in providing quality care to each patient and their family. We are passionate about using spay/neuter to reduce animal overpopulation, and to keep individual pets healthy, both medically and behaviorally. We also understand the importance of doing that at a cost that is within the financial means of our community members.”
There are no restrictions on who can schedule a pet for surgery at the clinic, though qualifying pet owners can benefit from the New York State Animal Population Control Program, covering a substantial portion of the costs and making it more affordable.
Discover more by visiting our website at animalprotective.org/clinic or contact us at 518-374-3944 ext. 107, or via email at apfclinic@animalprotective.org.
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