February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

The annual observance focuses on raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Animal welfare and other animal-focused organizations across the country observe Spay and Neuter Awareness Month in a variety of ways, all with a common theme: to educate and encourage pet owners and the general public about the benefits spaying and neutering bring not only to individual pets but also to the overall well-being of the community.

Thanks to increased awareness generated over the past two decades, today there is greater public acceptance and enthusiasm about the importance of spaying and neutering than in years past. Whether to reduce animal overpopulation and decrease the number of animals euthanized in shelters or to avoid unwanted litters and provide health and behavioral benefits to a family’s pets, people today are generally more likely to have their pets spayed or neutered.

But here’s the irony: with increased awareness of the importance of spay and neuter has come increased demand by the pet-owning public and the rescue community. However, in our post-pandemic world, we’re experiencing a shortage of veterinarians and other veterinary personnel, rising costs for spay/neuter surgeries, and fewer free and low-cost spay/neuter options. As a result, affordable spay/neuter is elusive for many pet owners, community cat caretakers, and rescuers who are desperately seeking services. The situation has reached crisis proportions in New York City and across the country.

How the Mayor’s Alliance is Working to Increase Access to Affordable Spay and Neuter

One of our primary goals is to help pet owners, rescuers, and other individuals who care about NYC’s animals find the information and resources they need to provide the best outcomes for the animals in their care. By far, the largest number of requests we receive is for help with access to free or affordable spay/neuter providers.

Through our website, blog, informational phone line, and one-on-one communication with pet owners, we provide information to help them overcome some of the barriers they face in acquiring services for their pets. Through relationships forged over two decades with a diverse range of partners, we are in a unique position to open doors for pet owners and others seeking assistance that otherwise might not be open to them.

In September 2024, the New York City Council held a public hearing on the state of animal welfare in New York City. The Mayor’s Alliance testified, along with dozens of animal welfare organizations, representatives from NYC government, and individual TNR caretakers and organizations, about the urgent need for City funding for more affordable pet care services, particularly spay and neuter services for low-income NYC pet owners.

The Mayor’s Alliance also has been in discussions with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, the Coalition for NYC Animals, and representatives from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to explore possibilities for creating free spay/neuter and other veterinary services for pet owners in NYCHA housing communities.

As the New York City Leader with United Spay Alliance, we work with a dedicated team of State Leaders across the country to promote affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services as the solution to the crisis of cat and dog homelessness. The NYC-area spay/neuter resources featured on the Mayor’s Alliance website are also listed on United Spay Alliance’s Spay/Neuter Referral Directory.

To coincide with Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, United Spay Alliance celebrates Feline Fix by Five Awareness Month in February to shine a spotlight on early-age spay/neuter. Because kittens as young as four months old can become pregnant, the campaign urges pet owners and veterinarians to spay and neuter kittens before five months of age – to prevent litters before they start and help cats live longer, healthier lives. Feline Fix by Five is a program of Marian’s Dream and United Spay Alliance.

How YOU Can Support Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

Whether you are an individual who cares about animals, a veterinarian, an animal shelter or rescue group, or a student group, civic group, or other kind of organization, there are many ways you can be a part of Spay and Neuter Awareness Month. 

• Promote spay/neuter on your social media platforms, as well as through your personal interactions and conversations.
• Host a workshop or webinar. Educational events are a great way to promote spay/neuter as a fundamental of responsible pet ownership.
• If you are a veterinarian or operate a veterinary clinic, offer discounts on spay and neuter surgeries. If you operate an animal clinic, consider offering discounted prices for spay and neuter surgeries this month.
• If you are a student, organize a group of your fellow classmates to collect and deliver donations for a local shelter. Check here for a list of shelters and rescue groups in the NYC area. Be sure to contact the shelter or rescue group ahead of time to make sure you are seeking out donations they can use.
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter or at a spay/neuter clinic in your area.
• Consider taking a TNR course and get involved with a community cat group. To learn more about TNR and community cats, visit Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative website.

To support the Mayor’s Alliance’s efforts to help New Yorkers gain access to affordable spay and neuter services, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.