Why Spaying and Neutering Matters…

Every year, millions of dogs and cats end up in shelters across the country. Many never find a home. It's a heartbreaking reality—but one we can change.

At the heart of the solution is a simple, powerful act: spaying and neutering.

Whether you’ve just welcomed a new furry friend or you're a lifelong animal lover, understanding the benefits of spaying and neutering can help you make a life-saving difference—not just for your own dog or cat, but for animals everywhere.

Healthier, Happier Lives

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) come with lifelong health benefits. For female dogs and cats, spaying reduces the risk of uterine infections and significantly lowers the chance of breast cancer—especially when done before their first heat. For males, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and can help prevent prostate issues as they age.

These procedures don’t just extend life—they improve quality of life. You're giving your dog or cat a healthier, more comfortable future.

Better Behavior, Stronger Bonds

Spaying and neutering can also improve behavior. Dogs and cats who are fixed are often calmer, less aggressive, and less likely to roam. Neutered males are less likely to mark their territory indoors or get into fights with other animals. Spayed females won’t go into heat, which means no yowling, pacing, or the urge to escape and find a mate.

That means fewer stressors for them—and for you. A well-adjusted dog or cat is easier to train, more focused, and more likely to form strong bonds with their humans.

Protecting Our Communities

When dogs and cats are left unaltered, the number of unwanted litters can quickly spiral. Just one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 370,000 kittens in seven years. Just one unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce over 67,000 puppies in six years. That’s not a typo. And with dogs, it’s not far behind.

These animals often end up on the streets or in overcrowded shelters. They face disease, starvation, injury, and sadly, euthanasia. Spaying and neutering is the most effective way to prevent this heartbreaking cycle.

It also reduces the number of stray animals in neighborhoods, which can lessen the spread of disease, the risk of car accidents, and the strain on local shelters and rescue groups.

Even Non-Animal People Benefit

You don’t have to be an animal lover to care about this issue. Uncontrolled dog and cat populations have a direct impact on public resources—and taxpayer dollars.

Animal control services, shelter staffing, stray pickup, and euthanasia programs are all public expenses, often funded by local taxes. The more animals in need, the more it costs municipalities, cities and counties to manage the crisis. When we prevent unwanted litters through spay/neuter, we reduce shelter overcrowding and lower the cost of animal control operations. That’s a win for everyone—pets, communities, and even people who may never own a dog or cat.

Spay/neuter is not just an act of compassion. It’s smart public policy.

It’s a Kindness—and a Responsibility

Choosing to spay or neuter is one of the most compassionate choices you can make for a dog or cat. It prevents suffering before it starts. It gives every animal a better shot at a full, healthy life.

And it helps create a world where every dog and cat is wanted, cared for, and loved—not just born.

PennyFix: Making Prevention Possible

At PennyFix, we’re working to remove financial barriers that keep spay/neuter out of reach for many families and communities. We’re making a change—every penny donated goes directly to fund spay/neuter grants. These grants support the clinics and organizations doing this vital work, ensuring that all dogs and cats, whether they’re owned or homeless, can receive the care they need.

Right now, we fund these grants through donations, and we’re working hard to bring a pet food company on board so we can build a sustainable funding stream—powered by just a penny per pet food product. Because when everyone gives a little, we can change a lot.

Together, we can turn small change into big impact.

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Every Dog and Cat Deserves a Chance. You Can Help Make That Happen.

Explore our site, learn more about our mission, and join us in building a future where every dog and cat is wanted and cared for. Spay and neuter—it’s love in action.