Tuesday, February 24, 2026

February 24 is World Spay (and Neuter) Day

 


World Spay Day, held annually on the last Tuesday of February (Feb. 24, 2026), is
a global campaign dedicated to promoting the sterilization of pets and community animals to reduce overpopulation and suffering. It encourages veterinarians and pet owners to spay/neuter, preventing unwanted litters, reducing shelter overcrowding, and improving long-term health, such as preventing certain cancers and reducing behavioral issues.
Mr Kozmo goes into the vet around 3 times a yearforchecks on his Thyroid. On his last visit I asked some of the questions about Spaying and Neutering Ihear frequentily.
 

Shouldn’t a female cat/dog have a litter before being spayed?

Allowing a female cat or dog to produce a litter does not have any benefits to the animal. Animals who go through heat cycles and pregnancy are at higher risk for uterine and mammary problems, including mammary cancer, which can be fatal. There are health risks to the mother during the pregnancy and when giving birth. Proper pre-natal care, emergency care for birth complications, and proper newborn care are expensive and time-consuming. 
 

Will my pet become fat and lazy once he or she is fixed?

No. Your pet will actually benefit from spaying or neutering, because he or she will lead a healthier and longer life. Pets become fat and lazy as a result of overeating and a lack of exercise, not from spaying or neutering. Furthermore, spaying a female eliminates the possibility of her developing uterine and/or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Neutering a male eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. 
 

 Will spay/neutering change my pets personality?

Generally, spaying or neutering your pet will not change its personality. If there are any effects on behaviour, they tend to be positive (reducing unwanted behaviour). Spaying or neutering will not change your pet’s affection level or playfulness.
For females, there is typically no change at all. For males, there may be a reduction in some aggressive and roaming behaviours. If you have more than one pet, you will find they often get along much better if they are all spayed or neutered.

 

5 comments:

  1. Hari Om
    I have always wondered at people resisting this call... for some, I know, cost is a factor, but I also know lots of folk (because I've had the discussion) who identify with their pet and react as if the procedure was being offered to themselves! One guy sticks in mind who really took great umbrage at my suggestion that his dog, who had jumped a six foot fence and tried to rape my Jade dog, might consider neutering it to save him having to worry about its behaviour. (Mind you, I may have had a tone in the moment that may have suggested otherwise to him...) Jade was only five months, but had come into heat early, and, ironically, was due to the vet the following week for her own speying... (interesting, just remembering that day is raising my hackles, still!!!) Hugswagswhiskeries, YAM-aunty xxx

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  2. I've been neutered for almost a year and mom says my energy level hasn't changed a bit and she says that I'm sweeter than before☺

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  3. We have always neutered our pets as soon as they were old enough. When I worked for a vet back in the middle ages, we always waited until they were 6 months old which is too late for a lot of cats and dogs.

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  4. I am a happy cat without any kittens. I don't worry that I need them fur takin' care of me in my old age, mol. That's what Lynn is fur. We have too many ferals here we wish they could and would be fixed and no new yearly kittens. Cats and dogs just don't need to have babies. Like teen age hoomans, too many too soon.

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This is soooooo exciting! We cant wait to sees what you has to say to us!