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.

 

World Spay Day - February 25

Every year, millions of cats and dogs find themselves in shelters. Even here in the middle of nowhere, we have problems with cats and too many puppies! World Spay Day tells us there is a simple solution: spaying or neutering your pets.
Not only does this curbs the rapid reproduction rates — with dogs and cats breeding at rates 15 and 45 times faster than humans and it reduces the number of animals that end up homeless or euthanized.

Spaying and neutering is a solution. It is a simple answer not only prevents unwanted births but also enhances the health and safety of pets, reducing their urge to roam and the risks that come with it.

World Spay Day makes us think beyond the immediate and to consider the wider impact of our choices. Established in 1995, World Spay Day is more than an annual event; it’s a heartfelt call to action that is celebrated every fourth Tuesday of February, with 2025 marking the day on February 25.

Sigh, Mary and Mom are still trying to capture Lucifer (the cat that was abandoned in our neighborhood) so that he can be neutered. Mary has a heated hut for him (where he can spend time when it is cold). but he is very elusive to knows all the tricks to escape! He even has the lady at the local shelter befuddled. But we shall persevere.

Lucifer February 24 2025 - visiting in the backyard