Spay & neuter

What these words mean to most people:

Spay = removing the ovaries (and sometimes uterus) from a female animal. Also called an ovariohysterectomy or an ovariectomy.

Neuter = removing the testicles from a male animal. Also called a castration.

Spaying and neutering your pet will make it so that they cannot reproduce. It is not reversible. It requires surgery under anesthesia.

NOTE: “neutering” can also refer to spaying - it is a general term to mean the surgical removal of reproductive organs.

Why neuter your pet?

Making informed decisions about these procedures can support both your pet’s wellbeing, your wellbeing and the wellbeing of the broader community.

Pets who are spayed or neutered might be safer and happier. Behaviors linked to the instinct to reproduce, such as aggression, territorial marking, or roaming can sometimes put pets in danger or can be distressing for our pets when they are not actually allowed to reproduce. These behaviours can also be very stressful for pet parents and lead to property damage.
Spaying and neutering can reduce the chance of some health concerns like certain cancers and infections of the uterus (in females) or the prostate (in males). Infections can be emergency situations and an infected uterus needs surgery as soon as possible.
Reducing unplanned litters helps prevent overpopulation. When there are too many pets in our city, some pets might be neglected or abandoned. Also, roaming animals can cause harm to wildlife, other pets, and people so it is a good idea to keep our pet populations under control.

For more information, please talk to one of our vets or check out the information page by the BCSPCA for the benefits of spaying and neutering.

Vets for Pets cannot offer any spay or neuter surgeries. There are a few organizations in Victoria and beyond that may be able to help get your pet neutered. Please contact them directly to ask about options.