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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about spay/neuter, beginning with the Number One question:
Q: Where can I find a list of low-cost spay/neuter services in my geographic area?
A: The ASPCA® maintains a database of spay/neuter programs that you can search by zip code. We are constantly adding to this database, so if you don't find any listings for your zip code immediately, please check back soon.
Pet Overpopulation
Q: How many cats and dogs are born each day in the US? How does this compare to the human population in the US?
A: Here approximate numbers, courtesy of Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President, National Programs and Science Advisor at the ASPCA:
- 6,630,000 cats born in homes each year, roughly 18,165 per day (This number does NOT include feral cat births; you can increase this number by 30 to 50 percent to estimate feral cat births.)
- 6,040,000 dogs born in homes each year, roughly 16,559 per day
- 4,116,000 people born per year in the US, roughly 11,277 per day
Using these figures, the number of cat and dog births per human birth are as follows:
- 1.6 non-feral cats per human born
- 1.47 dogs per human born
Q: Where can I find more statistics about pet overpopulation and the impact of spay/neuter surgeries?
A: Spay USA provides statistics, abstracts from research articles, and survey data about animal overpopulation, euthanasia, and the impact of spay/neuter services on the Spay USA website. This is a very good resource for reliable data on these topics.
The National Council on Pet Population and Study also has a wealth of data on animal populations.
Q: What is the ASPCA's position on mandatory spay/neuter of animals?
A: The ASPCA supports programs that provide incentives to the public to spay or neuter their companion animals. The ASPCA does not support local laws that mandate the sterilization of all cats and dogs.
You can read our full position statement here.
Starting a Spay/Neuter Program
Q: How do I start a spay/neuter program?
A: We are happy to hear that you are interested in setting up a high quality spay/neuter program in your area. The ASPCA believes spaying and neutering of companion animals is the best way to stem the severe over-population problem we see today.
While this is a great question, the answer to it is extremely complex. Starting a spay/neuter program is a long process that takes lots of hard work.
Start by learning about the different spay/neuter program options, and assess your community to decide which program would be best for your area. For detailed information about existing spay/neuter program models, and about starting a program, see Starting a Program.
You can also visit the ASPCA's website to learn more about the benefits of spay/neuter.
Q: How do I work with the local vets on my spay/neuter program?
A: Here are some tips from spay/neuter experts at ASPCA Community Outreach on working successfully with local veterinarians on spay/neuter programs:
- Begin one on one. Ask to meet a veterinarian on an individual basis. A great place to begin is your own personal veterinarian because you already have an established relationship.
- If you don't have a personal veterinarian, ask your friends for referrals, or see if there is a veterinarian in town who is known for participating with animals groups, writing a pet column in a local paper, or holding adoption events at his or her clinic. Once you find supportive veterinarians, they can help reach build relationships with veterinarians colleague to colleague, which can add credibility to your program.
- Be respectful of their time. Because a veterinarian's time is very precious, keep the meeting short, to the point, and show you respect their time by doing your homework in advance. It helps if you can leave something in writing for them to look at and get back with you.
- Consider setting up a "liaison committee" or advisory role with veterinarians to discuss issues on a regular basis. Ask for veterinary advice on pet related issues. This doesn't have to be just spay/neuter. Involve them in the beginning planning stages of your program to show you care about their thoughts and ideas, and not after the fact when you already did it.
- Compromise for the greater good. Try to work on spay/neuter programs that veterinarians can find palatable, such as focusing on low-income families or feral cats or work on a general spay/neuter awareness campaign.
See Working Successfully with Local Veterinarians for more tips and strategies.
Q: How do I find good staff for my spay/neuter clinic?
A: The best place to advertise for a veterinarian is with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). You can post a job announcement on their Web site as well as to their active list serve of over 400 shelter veterinarians from around the country.
You can also post a job announcement with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and in the newsletter for your local veterinary society. Ask your own veterinarian to provide you with the contact information.
We also recommend visiting Humane Alliance, which has suggestions on where to advertise for veterinarians, and also includes samples of successful advertisements.
To find a veterinary technician, post a job announcement at a local technical school, in the local paper, or in the sources mentioned above.
For other staff, such as office staff, you can advertise in your local paper.
Finally, word-of-mouth is always a great way to find experienced staff. Start by spreading the word at your own veterinarian's office, as well as friends and business acquaintances—networks provide invaluable assistance in situations like this.
For more detailed information, see Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Spay/Neuter Veterinarians.
Public Funding
Q: We'd like to approach our local government about funding a spay/neuter initiative in our community. Do you have any information about the cost-effectiveness of these programs?
A: Yes. Public funding of spay/neuter programs takes many forms around the country, and has been highly successful, especially when tailored to the needs of the community.
You can read detailed profiles of successful publicly funded programs as well as an article about cost savings associated with such programs, in the Public Funding area of our website.
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