Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pets

Spaying and Neutering at the Humane Society of Missouri

The Humane Society of Missouri spays or neuters all adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and rabbits prior to adoption.  If you acquired your pet from someplace other than the Humane Society of Missouri, our Veterinary Medical Centers will perform a spay or neuter surgery when your pet is four months of age or older. 

We require that animals be current on distemper vaccinations prior to spaying or neutering for the protection of your pet’s health as well as that of all other Humane Society of Missouri patients. 

Vaccination requirements
Puppies and Dogs:

All puppies and dogs must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian for canine distemper and parvovirus and must have received their most recent immunization 2 or more weeks before the date of surgery.  Rabies vaccination is required prior to or at the time of surgery.

Cats and Kittens:

All cats and kittens must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian for feline distemper and must have received their most recent immunization 2 weeks or more before the date of surgery.  Rabies vaccination is required prior to or at the time of surgery.

Spay/Neuter Programs

	Missouri Residents
	Operation SNIP Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP) offers spaying/neutering of pets at our Veterinary Medical Centers in St. Louis City and Westport Area Center in Maryland Heights.  It is available to Missouri pet owners regardless of income. The program, which charges only $39.95 per surgery, is designed to help curb pet overpopulation and keep pets healthy. Space is limited.
	Cat SNIP Special for March-April Spay/neuter surgery for any cat older than 4 months of age for only $19.95 (regular price $99.95). Appointments available in March and April.
	Spay/Neuter Now (SNOW) Our SNOW program offers affordable spay/neuter services for all responsible pet owners at each of our Veterinary Medical Centers:      St. Louis City      Westport Area Center in Maryland Heights      Chesterfield Valley Center in the Boone’s Crossing area of Chesterfield. Open to residents of both Missouri and Illinois, the SNOW program offers spay/neuter surgeries for $99.95 with a waiting period significantly less than for the SNIP Program.

Illinois Residents

Spay/Neuter Now (SNOW) Our SNOW program offers affordable spay/neuter services for all responsible pet owners at each of our Veterinary Medical Centers: St. Louis City Westport Area Center in Maryland Heights Chesterfield Valley Center in the Boone’s Crossing area of Chesterfield. Open to residents of both Missouri and Illinois, the SNOW program offers spay/neuter surgeries for $99.95 with a waiting period significantly less than for the SNIP Program.

For more information or to schedule a spay or neuter appointment.
St. Louis Veterinary Medical Center: (314) 802-5700
Westport Area Veterinary Medical Center in Maryland Heights: (314) 802-5700
Chesterfield Valley Veterinary Medical Center at Boone's Crossing: (636) 530-0807

If you live outside of the St. Louis area, find a low-cost spay/neuter program near you by calling toll-free 1-800-248-SPAY.

Thank you for being kind to animals by spaying or neutering your pet.

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pets

Improved Behavior
Male Pets
Un-neutered males focus their attention on finding a mate. They roam, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. They mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Indoors, male dogs might embarrass you by mounting furniture and human legs when stimulated.

On the other hand, neutered cats and dogs don't exhibit these behaviors, instead focusing their better-behaved attention on their human families. Don't confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness; a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an un-neutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Female Pets
While their cycles vary greatly, most un-spayed female cats exhibit annoying signs when in heat. For four or five days every three weeks, they yowl and urinate more frequently - sometimes all over the house - advertising for mates. Often they attract un-neutered males from great distances who spray urine around your home. Female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so. On the other hand, spayed females do not exhibit these behaviors.

Better Health
Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) are simple, inexpensive surgeries which usually require minimal hospitalization.

Neutering a male cat or dog by six months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra, a pus-filled uterus. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, IV fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Spaying a female cat or dog also helps prevent breast cancer which can be fatal in about 50% of female dogs and 90% of female cats. Spaying your female pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Responsible Care
One cat or dog who has babies, and whose babies have babies, can be responsible for the birth of 50 to 200 kittens or puppies in one year! As a result, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays die painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars. By spaying or neutering your pet, you prevent the suffering and death of millions of animals.

It is a myth that spaying or neutering a pet
will alter that pet's personality.
Fact: Regardless of the age when spayed or neutered, your pet will remain a caring, loving and protective companion. Neutering will reduce the need to breed, and that has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting and they lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

It is a myth that neutered companion animals become fat and lazy.
Fact: Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy - not neutering. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Neutering is good for your pet since sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

It is a myth that sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for pets.
Fact: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. All pets being spayed or neutered at the Humane Society of Missouri are treated with pain medication. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet should resume normal behavior in a few days.

It is a myth that children should witness the miracle of birth.
Fact: Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Countless books and videos are available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Anyone who has seen a puppy or kitten euthanized for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

Fact: Anyone who loves animals will spay or neuter their pets.