Spay & Neuter - Animal Services

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class="accMenu"> <ol class="breadcrumb am" id="Breadcrumb" aria-label="breadcrumbs"> <li class="breadcrumb-item am-item"><a href="/">SLCo</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"> <a href="/animal-services/">Animal Services</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"> <a href="/animal-services/get-owner-resources/">Get Owner Resources</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"> <a href="/animal-services/get-owner-resources/pet-health/">Pet Health</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item active" aria-current="page"> Spay & Neuter </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </section> <section class="main mb-5"> <div class="container"> <h1 id="skipto" class="mainTitle">Spay & Neuter</h1> <div class="row align-items-start"> <main class="col-12 col-lg-8"> <section class="overview"> <div class="tXl"> <div> <p>Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States</p> <p>The decision to spay or neuter your pet is an important one for pet owners. But it can be the single best decision you make for his long-term welfare.</p> <p>Getting your pet spayed or neutered can:</p> <ul> <li>Reduce the number of homeless pets killed</li> <li>Improve your pet's health</li> <li>Reduce unruly behavior</li> <li>Save on the cost of pet care</li> <li>Help your pet bunny</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <div class="overview"></div> <div id="AddressM" class="d-flex d-lg-none row row-cols-1 row-cols-md-2"> </div> <section aria-labelledby="FrontActionsHeader" class="actions"> <h2 id="FrontActionsHeader">Services</h2> <div id="actionsMenu"> <div class="row row-cols-1 row-cols-md-2 g-4 mb-5"><div class="col"> <a class="card action" href="/animal-services/clinic-services/"> <div class="card-header"> <div class="nonCritical"> <span class="fak fa-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></span> </div> </div> <div class="card-body noFlex"> <h3 class="card-title" id="Action-26079">Schedule to Spay/Neuter</h3> </div> </a> </div></div> </div> </section> </main> <aside class="d-none d-lg-flex col-lg-4 flex-column align-items-center align-items-md-start align-items-lg-end"> <div class="w-100"><div class="col"> <div class="address"> <div class="card slcoContact" aria-labelledby="ThisContactHeader-26010"> <div class="card-body p-0"> <div class="w-100"> <div class="contactPicture"> <picture><source srcset="/globalassets/1-site-files/animal-services/niftic/images/11x3.png?format=webp&quality=90&rxy=0.5,0.5&width=160&height=175" type="image/webp"><img src="/globalassets/1-site-files/animal-services/niftic/images/11x3.png?&quality=90&rxy=0.5,0.5&width=160&height=175" alt="A dog lying on grass." class="d-block"/></picture> <div class="contactText"> <h2 id="ThisContactHeader-26010" class="contactHeader">Adoption</h2> <p class="contactTitle">Salt Lake County</p> <div class="socialIcons"> </div> </div> </div> <address> <div> <span class="addIcon"><span class="fak fa-slco-phone"></span></span> <p> <span class="visually-hidden">Phone Number</span> (385) 468-7387 </p> </div> <div> <span class="addIcon"><span class="fak fa-slco-mail"></span></span> <p> <a href="#" id="contactEmailLink-26010" rel="nofollow">Email Adoption</a> </p> </div> <div> <span class="addIcon"><span class="fak fa-slco-fax"></span></span> <p>Fax: (385) 468-6028</p> </div> <div> <span class="addIcon"><span class="fa-solid fa-location-dot"></span></span> <p> <span class="visually-hidden">Mailing Address </span>511 West 3900 South<br /> <span>Salt Lake City, Utah 84123</span> </p> </div> <div> <span class="addIcon"><span class="fa-solid fa-clock"></span></span> <p> <span class="visually-hidden">Hours </span> Adoption Hours <br /> Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM </p> </div> </address> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </aside> <div class="col-12 col-lg-8"> </div> </div>  </div> </section> <div> <section class="stack" aria-labelledBy=StackHeader-26080> <div class="stackHead bg-color"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26080">Pets are homeless everywhere</h2> <div class="tXl stackText"> <p>In the U.S., there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. Barely half of these animals are adopted. Tragically, the rest are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions.</p> <p>Salt Lake County Animal Services embraces a No-Kill philosophy. We do not euthanize for time or space.</p> <p>The number of homeless animals varies by state—in some states there are as many as 300,000 homeless animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. These are not the offspring of homeless "street" animals—these are the puppies and kittens of cherished family pets and even purebreds.</p> <p>Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide, more than 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters annually. Spaying and neutering is the only permanent, 100 percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><div> <section class="stack" aria-labelledBy=StackHeader-26081> <div class="stackHead bg-color"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26081">Your pet's health</h2> <div class="tXl stackText"> <p>A <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/07/pet-longevity-states-spay-neuter/2130813/">USA</a> Today (May 7, 2013) article cites that pets who live in the states with the highest rates of spaying/neutering also live the longest. According to the report, neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs. The report goes on to add that in Mississippi, the lowest-ranking state for pet longevity, 44% of the dogs are not neutered or spayed.</p> <p>Part of the reduced lifespan of unaltered pets can be attributed to their increased urge to roam, exposing them to fights with other animals, getting struck by cars, and other mishaps.</p> <p>Another contributor to the increased longevity of altered pets involves the reduced risk of certain types of cancers. Unspayed female cats and dogs have a far greater chance of developing pyometra (a fatal uterine infection), uterine cancer, and other cancers of the reproductive system.</p> <p>Medical evidence indicates that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. (Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age.)</p> <p>Male pets who are neutered eliminate their chances of getting testicular cancer, and it is thought they they have lowered rates of prostate cancer, as well.</p> <p>Getting your pets spayed/neutered will not change their fundamental personality, like their protective instinct.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><div> <section class="stack" aria-labelledBy=StackHeader-26082> <div class="stackHead bg-color"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26082">Curbing bad behavior</h2> <div class="tXl stackText"> <p>Unneutered dogs are much more assertive and prone to urine-marking (lifting his leg) than neutered dogs. Although it is most often associated with male dogs, females may do it, too. Spaying or neutering your dog should reduce urine-marking and may stop it altogether.</p> <p>For cats, the urge to spray is extremely strong in an intact cat, and the simplest solution is to get yours neutered or spayed by 4 months of age before there's even a problem. Neutering solves 90 percent of all marking issues, even in cats that have been doing it for a while. It can also minimize howling, the urge to roam, and fighting with other males.</p> <p>In both cats and dogs, the longer you wait, the greater the risk you run of the surgery not doing the trick because the behavior is so ingrained.</p> <p>Other behavioral problems that can be ameliorated by spay/neuter include:</p> <ul> <li>Roaming, especially when females are "in heat."</li> <li>Aggression: Studies also show that most dogs bites involve dogs who are unaltered.</li> <li>Excessive barking, mounting, and other dominance-related behaviors.</li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><div> <section class="stack" aria-labelledBy=StackHeader-26083> <div class="stackHead bg-color"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26083">Cost cutting</h2> <div class="tXl stackText"> <p>When you factor in the long-term costs potentially incurred by a non-altered pet, the savings afforded by spay/neuter are clear (especially given the plethora of low-cost spay/neuter clinics).</p> <p>Caring for a pet with reproductive system cancer or pyometra can easily run into the thousands of dollars—five to ten times as much as a routine spay surgery. Additionally, unaltered pets can be more destructive or high-strung around other dogs. Serious fighting is more common between unaltered pets of the same gender and can incur high veterinary costs.</p> <p>Renewing your pet's license can be more expensive, too. Many counties have spay/neuter laws that require pets to be sterilized, or require people with unaltered pets to pay higher license renewal fees.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><div> <section class="stack" aria-labelledBy=StackHeader-26084> <div class="stackHead bg-color"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26084">Spaying and neutering are good for rabbits, too</h2> <div class="tXl stackText"> <p>Part of being conscientious about the pet overpopulation problem is to spay or neuter your pet rabbits, too. Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and often end up in shelters, where they must be euthanized. Neutering male rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing.</p> <p>And just as with dogs and cats, spayed female rabbits are less likely to get ovarian, mammary, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females.</p> <p>Millions of pet deaths each year are a needless tragedy. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><div> <section class="stack bg-color" aria-describedby="StackHeader-26085" id="sw-26085"> <div class="stackHead"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8"> <h2 id="StackHeader-26085" >Spay/Neuter Myths</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion accordion-flush" id="stack-26085"> <div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26134" aria-labelledby="headingS-26134"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26134"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26134" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26134"> Myth: It's better to have one litter before spaying a female pet. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26134" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26134"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: Every litter counts.</p> <p>Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26135" aria-labelledby="headingS-26135"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26135"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26135" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26135"> Myth: I want my children to experience the miracle of birth. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26135" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26135"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the thousands of animals euthanized in animal shelters in communities all across the country. Teach children that all life is precious by spaying and neutering your pets.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26136" aria-labelledby="headingS-26136"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26136"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26136" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26136"> Myth: But my pet is a purebred. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26136" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26136"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred. About half of all animals entering shelters are euthanized.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26137" aria-labelledby="headingS-26137"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26137"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26137" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26137"> Myth: I want my dog to be protective. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26137" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26137"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact<span style="font-size: 1.1rem;">: It is a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26138" aria-labelledby="headingS-26138"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26138"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26138" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26138"> Myth: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26138" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26138"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26139" aria-labelledby="headingS-26139"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26139"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26139" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26139"> Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26139" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26139"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26140" aria-labelledby="headingS-26140"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26140"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26140" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26140"> Myth: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26140" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26140"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: Your pet's puppies or kittens have an unlikely chance of being a carbon copy of your pet. Even professional breeders cannot make this guarantee. There are shelter pets waiting for homes who are just as cute, smart, sweet, and loving as your own.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26141" aria-labelledby="headingS-26141"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26141"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26141" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26141"> Myth: It's expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26141" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26141"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: Many low-cost options exist for spay/neuter services. Most regions of the U.S. have at least one spay/neuter clinic within driving distance that charge $100 or less for the procedure and many veterinary clinics provide discounts through subsidized voucher programs. Low-cost spay/neuter is more and more widely available all the time. Start with this low-cost spay/neuter finder.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div> <div class="accordion-item rack" id="s-26142" aria-labelledby="headingS-26142"> <div class="container"> <h3 class="accordion-header" id="headingS-26142"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed ps-0" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseS-26142" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseS-26142"> Myth: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. </button> </h3> </div> <div id="collapseS-26142" class="getParent accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingS-26142"> <div class="accordion-body"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-8 stackText"> <p>Fact: You may find homes for your pet's puppies and kittens. But you can only control what decisions you make with your own pet, not the decisions other people make with theirs. Your pet’s puppies and kittens, or their puppies or kittens, could end up in an animal shelter, as one of the many homeless pets in every community competing for a home. Will they be one of the lucky ones?</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section></div> <footer class="footer mt-auto" aria-label="Footer"> <nav class="container" aria-label="Footer Navigation"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <ul> <li><a href="/tty/">TTY</a></li> <li><a href="/disclaimer/">Disclaimer</a></li> <li><a href="/non-discrimination/">Non-Discrimination / ADA</a></li> <li><a href="https://saltlakecountyut.nextrequest.com/">GRAMA</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility/">Web Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/contact-directory/">County Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/econnect/">Employee Connect</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <p class="copyright"><a href="/copyright/">© Salt Lake County—All rights reserved</a><br /><a href="/comment-on/?id=78535f73-5d69-423c-81cd-71d237c74cce" class="mIgnore" id="CommentAboutLink">Comment about this page? </a></p> </nav> </footer> <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.min.js" integrity="sha256-/JqT3SQfawRcv/BIHPThkBvs0OEvtFFmqPF/lYI/Cxo=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js" integrity="sha384-geWF76RCwLtnZ8qwWowPQNguL3RmwHVBC9FhGdlKrxdiJJigb/j/68SIy3Te4Bkz" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/247f03a612.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="/js/jqueryExt.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/js/cookie.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/js/BootstrapBreakpoint.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/js/jquery-accessibleMegaMenu.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/js/Niftic-Main.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script defer="defer" nonce="TmrTNEkOXUBAVzIkzAGyR1pkN7maIhSVg/V9GOirKR4=" src="/Util/Find/epi-util/find.js"></script> <script nonce="TmrTNEkOXUBAVzIkzAGyR1pkN7maIhSVg/V9GOirKR4="> $(() => {$('#contactEmailLink-26010').prop('href', '/contact-directory/email/?aid=06d7d163-6d93-4618-acab-295f7eb6f5b7&id=' + thisPageID)}); </script> <script nonce="TmrTNEkOXUBAVzIkzAGyR1pkN7maIhSVg/V9GOirKR4="> accordionChildID('#stack-26085') </script> <script nonce="TmrTNEkOXUBAVzIkzAGyR1pkN7maIhSVg/V9GOirKR4="> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){if(typeof FindApi === 'function'){var api = new FindApi();api.setApplicationUrl('/');api.setServiceApiBaseUrl('/find_v2/');api.processEventFromCurrentUri();api.bindWindowEvents();api.bindAClickEvent();api.sendBufferedEvents();}}) </script> </body> </html>

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Spay & Neuter - Animal Services | Salt Lake County