The decision to spay or neuter a pet does not come easy for some people, but there are several excellent reasons to consider the procedure. Spaying or neutering is an irreversible way to render a dog or cat unable to reproduce that can improve your pet's health, safety and quality of life. This procedure also helps control the population of unwanted companion and feral animals.

Spaying or neutering your pet can reduce his or her risk of certain types of cancers associated with reproduction. Neutered males have a lower incidence of prostate problems, including prostate enlargement and prostate cancers. Neutering also eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and testicular torsion, a painful and life-threatening condition. Spayed females have a much lower risk of developing mammary cancer (especially if spayed before the first heat cycle), and the procedure eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. By minimising or eliminating the risk of these cancers through spaying or neutering, you can help ensure your pet a longer, happier and healthier life. In fact, spayed or neutered pets live up to 3 years longer than their intact counterparts.

Neutering also reduces aggressive behaviour in some males, and reduces the tendency to roam or spray. Reducing or eliminating your pet's natural desire to roam helps protect him from accidental injuries from vehicles, and encounters with other animals. It also reduces the possibility that you will lose your pet temporarily or permanently.

Neutered male dogs may still mark their territories, but owners report that the procedure reduces or eliminates marking and/or spraying inside the house. Intact males, who can become very aggressive and persistent around intact females, are not attracted to spayed female pets. Neutered pets also display less dominating and anti-social behaviours around children, guests and other animals.

Spaying or neutering eliminates your pet's ability to reproduce, and helps to control both the unwanted companion and feral animal populations in your areas. Finding homes for unwanted companion animals is challenging, especially in a soft economy. In many cases, shelters that cannot secure homes for unwanted pets must destroy them. Feral animals - who have never been in a home - pose a danger to the communities in which they live. These un-vaccinated animals may carry rabies, venereal, or other infectious diseases, breed (and fight) with intact house pets, and often cannot be rehabilitated, socialised or adopted. By spaying or neutering your pet, you can ensure that your pet does not contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation.

The benefits of spaying or neutering your pet are significant, and the procedure is appropriate for most house pets. By spaying or neutering your pet, you can extend your pet's life, improve his or her health and safety, and ensure that your dog or cat does not contribute to pet overpopulation.