The Benefits of Sterilizing Cats and Dogs

Spaying (female) and neutering (male) dogs and cats is a responsible and compassionate process that benefits individual animals, the communities in which they live, and society at large. Sterilization plays a vital role in improving animal welfare and reducing suffering for street animals and pets.

Reducing Overpopulation

Every year, millions of dogs and cats are born with and without homes. In the United States alone, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters annually. Around 920,000 of those animals are euthanized due to lack of space and adoptive families. In Mexico, between 16 and 20 million dogs live on the streets and approximately 5.8 million cats. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that there are over 200 million stray dogs.

Street dogs and feral cats often have short, and difficult lives. They struggle with hunger, disease, abuse, and traffic hazards. Uncontrolled breeding worsens this cycle, especially in urban areas where easy access to food waste and open spaces allow populations to grow rapidly.

The Benefits of Sterilization

Sterilizing pets and stray animals helps break the cycle of animal suffering. Furry Tails of Oaxaca works to provide and support sterilization campaigns for pets and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for street cats and dogs. In TNR programs, animals are humanely trapped, sterilized by a team of talented local veterinarians, and returned to the street. Over time, this reduces population size and stabilizes colonies without killing any healthy animals.

Health and Behavior Benefits

For all animals, the health benefits of sterilization are significant. Spayed females have a lower risk of uterine infections and mammary cancer, while neutered males are less likely to develop testicular cancer or prostate disease. Pets are less likely to roam, fight, or display aggressive or marking behavior and sterilized street dogs and cats often become less territorial and less likely to transmit diseases.

Key Facts

• A single pair of unspayed cats and their offspring can produce up to 420,000 kittens in seven years.
• TNR programs have helped reduce cat populations by 30–50% in some urban areas.
• Dogs can have two litters per year, with up to 12 puppies in each—resulting in over 60,000 potential descendants in just six years.

Everyone Benefits

Whether you own a pet or care about the wellbeing of animals in your neighborhood, supporting Furry Tails of Oaxaca’s sterilization efforts is a powerful way to make a difference in your community. By preventing unwanted litters, improving health and behavior, and protecting street animals from suffering, sterilization offers a better future for both animals and humans.

Donate to support sterilization campaigns across the state of Oaxaca.