There are an estimated 6 to 8 million homeless animals in the US. Most of this number will enter animal shelters – half are lucky enough to be adopted and the other half are euthanized. Spaying and neutering your pet is the most effective method of birth control.
Besides helping to control the pet population, spaying and neutering your pet may lead to better health. Neutered males will have less chance of getting testicular prostate cancer, other non-cancerous prostatic problems, less unwanted behavior and fewer chances of getting urinary problems.
Spaying females have less chance of getting uterine/mammary cancers and a greatly reduced chance of uterine and bladder infections.