By Dr. Edward Schettino
February is National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, and here at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, we field questions about spay and neuter on a daily basis which typically revolve around two issues – cost and understanding the real and long-term benefits for you and your pet.
Low-Cost Options Exist
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Don’t let cost be a barrier, as there are numerous low-cost options throughout Massachusetts that are readily available.
ARL’s Spay Waggin’ is a mobile clinic offering low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter services. The Spay Waggin’ has been serving the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod and the Islands since 2000, performing more than 75,000 surgeries along the way.
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Another place to turn is your local Animal Control Officer. The Massachusetts Animal Fund Spay/Neuter Voucher Program allows low-income residents receiving state assistance to get their pets this important surgery free of charge. Vouchers can be obtained through your city or town’s Animal Control Officer and are redeemed at participating providers.
This voucher program is funded by the voluntary tax check-off (Line 33f) on the Massachusetts Resident Income Tax Form under “Voluntary fund contributions”. Monetary donations are also accepted year-round.
Long Term Health Benefits
Caring for animals can be expensive, especially when it comes to their health. But consider this – having your pet spayed/neutered can reduce the risk of serious, and costly, health problems later in life.
Neutering male dogs and cats before six months of age lessens the risk for testicular cancer, and spaying female cats and dogs before their first heat reduces the risk of uterine infections and breast cancer.
Spay/neuter can also reduce behavioral problems such as marking territory, howling or barking, aggression and wandering.
We all want our pets to live long and healthy lives, and having an animal spayed/neutered actually increases their longevity. According to previously published reports, neutered male dogs live 18 percent longer than intact males, and spayed females live 23 percent longer than intact females.
Healthy Moms, Happy Litters
Have a pet at home with an unwanted or accidental litter of puppies or kittens? The Animal Rescue League of Boston can help! Through the Healthy Moms, Happy Litters program, ARL will provide no-cost spay/neuter services and vaccinations for mother/father dogs and cats. Once the procedure is complete, and animals are returned to the owner. ARL will then take in the litter of puppies or kittens, who will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and placed up for adoption.
Remember, there are many resources available, so please consider having your pet spayed/neutered for their happiness and health - and for your piece of mind. For more information, please visit arlboston.org.
Dr. Edward Schettino is the President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and has a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
