Companion Animal Birth Control

Because indiscriminate and accidental dog and cat breeding leads to millions of unwanted and abandoned animals each year in the United States, safe, effective and permanent dog and cat birth control is necessary. At this time, spaying female and neutering male animals are the preferred methods of preventing reproduction. [See position statement, Alternative Methods of Birth Control] The ASPCA strongly recommends that all companion dogs and cats, except those who are part of a responsible breeder’s breeding program or where surgical sterilization is contraindicated for medical reasons, be spayed or neutered. To prevent the accidental breeding of young cats and dogs, the ASPCA supports pediatric or “early-age” spay/neuter of animals, i.e., as soon as they reach a minimum of two months of age and two pounds in weight.