| Benefit | Spaying (females) | Neutering (males) |
|---|---|---|
| No heat cycles, therefore males will not be attracted | ✔ | ✘ |
| Less desire to roam | ✔ | ✔ |
| Risk of reproductive system cancers reduced/eliminated | ✔ (mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer) | ✔ (testicular cancer) |
| Reduces number of unwanted litters | ✔ | ✔ |
| Decreases aggressive behavior | ✔ | ✔ |
| Helps pets live longer, healthier lives | ✔ | ✔ |
Each year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized (killed) at shelters across the country. Although pet behavioral problems are the main reasons animals are given to shelters, many orphans are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered, the fewer dogs and cats will have to be destroyed.