Why Spay/Neuter is important

Why Spay or Neuter Your Cat?

One of the most important decisions you can make for your cat's health and well-being is to have them spayed or neutered.

Learn more by reading our Spay & Neuter Information Sheet.

If you live in Surrey and need financial assistance, you may qualify for our Spay & Neuter Assistance Program.

How Can I Be a Responsible Cat Guardian?

Responsible pet ownership helps keep cats healthy, safe, and out of shelters.

We encourage every cat guardian to:

Schedule your cat's spay or neuter surgery with your veterinarian.
Have your cat permanently identified with a microchip or ear tattoo.
If your cat spends time outdoors, ensure they wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag that includes your phone number.
Keep vaccinations and routine veterinary care up to date.
Whenever possible, keep your cat safely indoors or provide supervised outdoor time in a secure enclosure or on a harness.

Why Is Spaying and Neutering Important?

Every litter of kittens increases the number of cats competing for a limited number of loving homes.

When there are more kittens than homes available, many cats end up living on the streets, entering already overcrowded shelters, or relying on rescue organizations for care.

By choosing to spay or neuter your cat, you help:

Prevent unwanted litters.
Reduce the number of homeless and abandoned cats.
Decrease suffering among community cats.
Improve the health and well-being of your own cat.
Save lives through prevention.

Every cat that is spayed or neutered makes a positive difference.

What Is Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying and neutering are routine surgical procedures performed by a licensed veterinarian to prevent cats from reproducing.

Spaying is the surgical removal of a female cat's ovaries and uterus.
Neutering is the surgical removal of a male cat's testicles.

You may also hear these procedures referred to as sterilization, altering, or fixing.

Spaying and neutering are safe, effective procedures that are widely recognized as the most humane way to reduce cat overpopulation.

Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

In addition to preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering provide many health and behavioural benefits.

Cats that are spayed or neutered are less likely to:

Develop certain reproductive cancers and infections.
Roam long distances in search of a mate.
Spray urine to mark territory.
Fight with other cats, reducing the risk of injuries and infectious diseases.
Produce unexpected litters that contribute to cat overpopulation.

By spaying or neutering your cat, you are making a lifelong investment in their health while helping build a healthier, more compassionate community for all cats.

Your Cat Will Live a Healthier Life

Spaying and neutering reduce the risk of several serious health conditions.

Female cats

Eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra).
Greatly reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer. When performed before the first heat cycle, spaying offers the greatest protection.

Male cats

Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
May reduce the risk of certain prostate-related conditions.

No More Heat Cycles

A spayed female cat will no longer go into heat.

Cats in heat may:

Yowl loudly, often day and night.
Attempt to escape outdoors to find a mate.
Urinate more frequently or spray to attract males.
Become restless and anxious.

Spaying eliminates these behaviours while preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Improved Behaviour

Neutered male cats are generally calmer and less likely to:

Spray strong-smelling urine to mark territory.
Roam long distances searching for a mate.
Fight with other cats, reducing the risk of injury and disease.

Many behavioural problems can be reduced or prevented when cats are neutered at a young age.

It Saves Money

The cost of a spay or neuter surgery is far less than the cost of raising and caring for an unexpected litter of kittens or treating illnesses and injuries associated with unaltered cats.

Common Myths

There are many misconceptions about spaying and neutering.

Learn the facts by reading our guide to the Five Most Common Myths About Spaying and Neutering, and discover why these common beliefs are not supported by veterinary evidence.

When Should My Cat Be Spayed or Neutered?

Many accidental litters occur because owners wait too long to schedule surgery.

We recommend that cats be spayed or neutered at approximately four months of age, before they become sexually mature. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best timing based on your cat's age, health, and developmen

Be a Responsible Cat Guardian

You can help reduce cat overpopulation and keep your own cat safe by:

Scheduling your cat's spay or neuter surgery.
Having your cat permanently identified with a microchip (preferred) or ear tattoo.
Using a breakaway collar with an identification tag that includes your cat's name and your phone number if your cat spends time outdoors.
Keeping your cat's vaccinations and routine veterinary care up to date.
Whenever possible, keep your cat safely indoors or provide supervised outdoor time in a secure enclosure or on a harness.

Responsible pet ownership helps ensure a healthier, happier life for your cat while reducing the number of homeless cats in our community.

These stray eight-week-old kittens siblings were rescued from the outdoors in January 2016 and spayed when they turned five months old, the ideal age for kittens to be fixed.