Spay/neuter surgery helps reduce the number of stray animals. You can help end animal homelessness in Shasta County by spaying or neutering your pet. Here are more compelling reasons to spay/neuter: • Improve Health: Spaying at an early age decreases the incidence of mammary cancer as well as prevents diseases of the ovaries and infections of the uterus, which are a major cause of illness in unspayed pets. Neutered dogs have fewer prostate problems and no testicular cancer. • Decrease Euthanasia: It is estimated that four million cats and dogs, about one every eight seconds, are euthanized each year in the U.S. Often these animals are purebred and the offspring of cherished family pets. In California in 2018, 111,000 shelter animals were euthanized. • Prevent Unwanted Behaviors: Spay/neuter surgeries can help prevent aggressive behavior towards other animals, roaming in search of mates, urine marking in dogs and spraying in cats.