LOW COST SPAY / NEUTER RESOURCES
Cat overpopulation is on the rise in New Hampshire. Take advantage of one of the many low-cost resources. available to have your cat spayed or neutered.
NEW – Conway Area Humane Society, 603-662-0212 Conway Valley Animal Hospital
NEW – Veterinary Urgent Care of NH, 603-301-0270 (2025 NH Rt. 16, W. Ossipee) – Veterinary Urgent Care
NH Animal Population Control Program, 603-271-3551 NH Department of Agriculture
NH Humane Society Laconia, NH 603-524-3252 nhhumane.org
Upper Valley Humane Society Enfield, NH 603-448-6888 uvhs.org
New Hampshire SPCA Stratham, NH 603-772-2921 nhspca.org
Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley Dover, NH 603-749-5322 popememorialcvhs.org
Animal Welfare Society Kennebunk, ME 207-985-3244 animalwelfaresociety.org
Sullivan County Humane Society Claremont, NH 603-542-3277 sullivancountyhumanesociety.org
Second Chance Animal Rescue Littleton, NH 603-259-3244 secondchancear.org
Rozzie May Animal Alliance Conway, NH 603-447-1373 rozziemayanimalalliance.org
Monadnock Humane Society Swanzey, NH 603-352-9011 monadnockhumanesociety.org
Animal Rescue League Bedford, NH 603-472-3647 rescueleague.org
Animal Rescue Veterinary Services Londonderry, NH 603-425-3928 arvsonline.org
Humane Society for Greater Nashua Nashua, NH 603-889-2275 hsfn.org
Manchester Animal Shelter Manchester, NH 603-628-3544 manchesteranimalshelter.org
Why Spay/Neuter?
Spaying/Neutering companion pets is the #1 way to keep the number of unwanted pets in check. By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet homelessness crisis in this area. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets) your animals.
Medical benefits:
- Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
- Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.
Behavioral benefits:
- Your spayed female pet won’t go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
- Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
- Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.
Spaying/neutering your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter or puppies or kittens.
Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions
- Spaying or neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor her food intake.
- Neutering is not as a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone, there’s no guarantee that your dog’s behavior will change after he’s neutered. Although the surgery will reduce the amount of testosterone in your dog’s system, it won’t eliminate the hormone completely. Neutering will also not reduce behaviors that your pet has earned or that have become habitual. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality, physiology and history.
When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
- For dogs: While the traditional age for neutering is six to nine months, puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered as long as they’re healthy. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there’s a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs that have health problems.
- For cats: It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance for pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your own cat reaches five months of age.
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Before and After Surgery
Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your cat any food after midnight the night before surgery. A puppy or kitten, however, needs adequate nutrition, and your veterinarian may advise that food not be withheld.
Your veterinarian can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, your veterinarian can take various measures to control pain. Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet.
Here are tips for a safe and comfortable recovery:
- Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
- Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
- Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by distracting your pet with treats or by using an Elizabethan collar.
- Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.
- Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery.
