Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING:
What is "spaying" or "neutering"?
Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is often used in reference to both genders. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal incapable of reproducing.
What is "spaying" or "neutering"?
Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is often used in reference to both genders. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal incapable of reproducing.
When can I have this procedure done?
Spaying and neutering can be safely performed on an animal as early as 8 weeks of age. Spay San Diego advocates spaying or neutering a pet early in its life since it is both healthy and it effectively reduces pet overpopulation.
Spaying and neutering can be safely performed on an animal as early as 8 weeks of age. Spay San Diego advocates spaying or neutering a pet early in its life since it is both healthy and it effectively reduces pet overpopulation.
Why should I have my pet neutered?
Animal shelters and rescue groups are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs, cats and other animals that they cannot find homes for? Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
What are some of the health and behavioral benefits?
Through spaying or neutering, you can help your animal live a happier, healthier, longer life.
Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pet will generally get along better if they are neutered.
A long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.
If I find homes for my pet's litters, then I won't contribute to the problem, right?
Wrong. Only a finite number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet's offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter. In addition, the new owners may allow the offspring to breed, producing additional puppies or kittens.
Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?
No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies.
ABOUT SPAY SAN DIEGO:
What is the objective of Spay San Diego?
The objective of Spay San Diego is to form a partnership to bring awareness to San Diego's pet overpopulation issues and to offer a range of affordable and no-cost spay or neuter solutions.
Who are the members and how is it funded?
Spay San Diego is a growing collaboration of various groups and organizations that have indicated an interest in offering affordable or no-cost services to the community. While this is a growing effort, the current members are listed on the Partners page.
If someone would like to provide support or join in the effort, how could they do that?
The best way to offer services, support or to make a donation to help underwrite the cause is to contact any of the organizations listed on the Partners page.
How does someone 'qualify' for the low-cost services?
Qualifying for affordable or no-cost services varies by group and organization. Please contact the organization to verify their requirements and to get the latest pricing, if applicable.
What is the significance of Spay Day 2013?
World Spay Day is February 26, 2013. This day corresponds with Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, which is the entire month of February. National and local animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, businesses, and individuals worldwide come together in February to call attention to spay/neuter as a proven means of saving animals' lives.
The goal of Spay San Diego is to perform thousands of spay/neuter surgeries by World Spay Day, February 26th!
Which areas are you targeting and how?
Each participating organization has their own specific audience for providing spay and neuter assistance. Please contact the individual organizations to learn more about the unique programs and the audiences they serve.
Who is performing the spay/neuter surgeries and how are they paid?
Spay and neuter surgeries offered by participating Spay San Diego organizations are performed by licensed California veterinarians, many of whom are donating their professional services to this program.
Is any income being generated and, if so, where does it go?
Since the groups or organizations that are associated with Spay San Diego are offering their services at significantly reduced rates or at no cost, little or no income is being generated. Any minimal income generated is being reinvested by the respective organizations.
Animal shelters and rescue groups are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs, cats and other animals that they cannot find homes for? Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
What are some of the health and behavioral benefits?
Through spaying or neutering, you can help your animal live a happier, healthier, longer life.
Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pet will generally get along better if they are neutered.
A long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.
If I find homes for my pet's litters, then I won't contribute to the problem, right?
Wrong. Only a finite number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet's offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter. In addition, the new owners may allow the offspring to breed, producing additional puppies or kittens.
Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?
No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies.
ABOUT SPAY SAN DIEGO:
What is the objective of Spay San Diego?
The objective of Spay San Diego is to form a partnership to bring awareness to San Diego's pet overpopulation issues and to offer a range of affordable and no-cost spay or neuter solutions.
Who are the members and how is it funded?
Spay San Diego is a growing collaboration of various groups and organizations that have indicated an interest in offering affordable or no-cost services to the community. While this is a growing effort, the current members are listed on the Partners page.
If someone would like to provide support or join in the effort, how could they do that?
The best way to offer services, support or to make a donation to help underwrite the cause is to contact any of the organizations listed on the Partners page.
How does someone 'qualify' for the low-cost services?
Qualifying for affordable or no-cost services varies by group and organization. Please contact the organization to verify their requirements and to get the latest pricing, if applicable.
What is the significance of Spay Day 2013?
World Spay Day is February 26, 2013. This day corresponds with Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, which is the entire month of February. National and local animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, businesses, and individuals worldwide come together in February to call attention to spay/neuter as a proven means of saving animals' lives.
The goal of Spay San Diego is to perform thousands of spay/neuter surgeries by World Spay Day, February 26th!
Which areas are you targeting and how?
Each participating organization has their own specific audience for providing spay and neuter assistance. Please contact the individual organizations to learn more about the unique programs and the audiences they serve.
Who is performing the spay/neuter surgeries and how are they paid?
Spay and neuter surgeries offered by participating Spay San Diego organizations are performed by licensed California veterinarians, many of whom are donating their professional services to this program.
Is any income being generated and, if so, where does it go?
Since the groups or organizations that are associated with Spay San Diego are offering their services at significantly reduced rates or at no cost, little or no income is being generated. Any minimal income generated is being reinvested by the respective organizations.