Millions of pets, feral and stray cats, and street dogs suffer every day. Spaying and neutering them can save them from being euthanized in a shelter or killed on the street. To raise awareness, the last Tuesday in February is World Sterilization Day.
Spaying and neutering are important health measures for puppies and kittens, as well as senior dogs and cats, but common myths and misconceptions keep pet owners from making the decision.
Sabrina Karl, Animal Welfare Scientist at the Science Unit, says that a pet should be spayed/neutered as soon as the risk of unwanted reproduction arises – either in the home or when the animal is an outdoor pet. Another reason would be when there are multiple pets living together in the home or even outside and there is a risk that they will fight and hurt each other due to natural competition, especially if they are of the same sex. The same applies to the risk of human aggression due to sex hormones. «In a country where cat and dog overpopulation is a problem, spaying and neutering is essential to avoid increasing stray animal populations,» explains Sabrina. She points out that pets that are only kept at home should also be spayed or neutered.