We rehome thousands of unwanted animals each year. Neutering can help reduce the huge number of homeless pets.

Neutering lowdown

• Female animals are spayed – this means the womb and the ovaries are removed.
   
• Male animals are castrated – this means the testicles are removed.
   
• Operations should be straightforward - they are carried out under general anaesthetic and animals usually recover quickly.
   
• Some pets may have a tendency to put on weight after neutering. This can be controlled by providing an appropriate diet; talk to your vet about this.
   
• Whilst some owners decide to neuter their pet for behavioural reasons (e.g. to reduce urine marking or roaming), it is not possible to accurately predict the after-effects of neutering.
   

Benefits of neutering

• Neutering has many benefits that apply not only to dogs and cats but also to other small animals such as rabbits.
   
• Neutering prevents female animals coming into season, when they may attract unwanted male attention, become pregnant or have false pregnancies.
   
• Neutering prevents the risk of testicular cancer in male animals and uterus infections and cancers in females.
   
• In male dogs and cats, neutering can reduce behaviours such as urine marking and roaming.

In 2008 we neutered 87,105 animals

        (RSPCA Annual Review 2008)

Talk to your vet

• You do not need to let an animal have one litter first. Pets can be neutered before having any litters.
   
• Your vet will be able to offer further advice on the best time to neuter your pet.
   
• Check the cost with your vet. This will depend on the species, size and sex of your pet.