According to an estimate from the Humane Society of the United States, there are 6-8 million homeless animals entering shelters across the United States every year. In 2016 alone, over 10,000 of these animals were admitted to the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Shelter staff like ours work to save lives every day, but the reality in communities throughout the nation is that there are not enough homes for them all.

Pet overpopulation is a community issue, and it will take a combined effort to reduce the numbers of homeless pets in Guilford County. While we work hard to promote adoption of pets, spay/neuter is the best tool available to reduce the population of stray or homeless pets, and thus reduce shelter intake and euthanasia.

• Spay & Neuter Flyer

Spay/Neuter Facts

• A fertile dog can produce an average of two litters in one year, with the average number of puppies per litter being between six and ten.
• Up to 508 puppies can be born from one unspayed female dog, and her resulting offspring, in seven years.
• A fertile cat can produce an average of three litters in one year, with the average number of kittens per litter being four to six.
• In seven years, up to 4,948 kittens can be born from one unspayed female cat and her resulting offspring.

Benefits of Spay/Neuter

Choosing to spay / neuter is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet. Altering your pet provides a number of benefits including:

• Reducing the likelihood of certain types of cancer
• Decreasing the tendency to escape and roam away from home
• Preventing females from going into heat cycles
• Lessening the likelihood of certain behaviors such as marking territory or displaying aggression

Perhaps most importantly, spay/neuter is the most effective way you can prevent the birth of unwanted companion animals. Please do your part to help us reduce the number of homeless pets in Guilford County by having your pet spayed or neutered.

Spay/Neuter Resources

• AnimalKind’s Spay/Neuter Helpline
  Search for reduced cost spay/neuter options near you and contact the Helpline via phone or email to ask for help preventing unintended litters of kittens or puppies.

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