Myths & Misconceptions about Spay/Neuter Procedures

Animals will become lazy or gain weight if you sterilize them.

  • Spaying or neutering does not cause dogs or cats to gain weight.  However, lack of exercise or over-feeding can cause weight gain.

  • The only behavior changes you may see from a sterilized pet are a decrease in aggression and a decrease in mounting or territory marking.

  • This myth is perpetuated by the fact that most animals are sterilized as they are reaching adulthood and loosing their puppy or kitten energy. Maintaining a balanced diet and planned exercise will prevent this in most animals.

Sterilizing a pet will change their personality or impact their intelligence.

The procedure has no effect on a pet's intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt.  However, neutered males may be less aggressive post-sterilization.

Sterilizing a male pet will take away their identity.

Pets do not have any concept of ego or sexual identity so that cannot be taken away by a sterilization procedure.

You should let a female dog or cat experience one heat cycle or have one litter before spaying them.

There is no health benefit in allowing a pet to experience a heat or pregnancy before being spayed.  In fact, it is recommended by most veterinarians to spay your pet before their first heat cycle.

Spaying and neutering is a painful procedure for pets.

During the procedure your pet will be anesthetized so they will not feel anything.  They may experience some discomfort at the incision site in the days following the surgery but it is standard to give an animal pain management medication either during the procedure or afterwards, which CARE will cover during Snip, Snip, Hooray! 

Spaying and neutering is not safe.

Sterilization procedures are among the most common performed by veterinarians.  Because spays and neuters are both surgeries, they do come with some risks but the chance of complications is very low.  Additionally, many pets, especially females, can experience health problems later in life as a result of being un-spayed, making sterilization the safer, and more affordable option.

It’s too expensive to spay or neuter my pet.

Over time, a spay or neuter surgery will most likely save you money. Dogs and cats can both experience preventable complications later in life if they remain unsterilized which can lead to higher veterinary bills than the cost of sterilization. Pet owners can also be spared indirect costs such as:

  • Diapers for females in heat

  • Costs related to pregnancies (and care costs for the resulting puppies or kittens)

  • Cleaning/stain removal from marking

  • Repairs or medical bills from unneutered males with heightened energy or aggression

Additionally, There are many resources out there to help reduce the cost of spay and neuter procedures.

  • Vouchers:

    • CARE offers vouchers good at participating clinics across Arkansas for individuals with an income of $60,000 a year or less. These vouchers are good for a discount of $15-$50 (amount set by the clinic) off of spay & neuter services. For a comprehensive list of participating clinics and more information, check out our Spay/Neuter Assistance page.

    • There are 64 counties in Arkansas that currently have spay/neuter voucher programs available thanks to the Arkansas Animal Rescue Foundation (AARF). If CARE does not offer vouchers in your county or you do not qualify for a CARE voucher, check out this list of other AARF partners.

  • Low-Cost Clinics: CARE partners with several low-cost clinics in Arkansas to help reduce fees for spay and neuter procedures even further. The following low-cost clinics also accept CARE vouchers:

    • Arkansans for Animals, 11701 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209

    • Cabot Animal Services, 2951 South 1st Street, Cabot, AR 72023 (no income or residency requirements)

    • Feline Rescue & Rehome (FURR), 425 Cogdell Dr., Maumelle, AR 72113 (Clinics are held 2nd Saturday of each month. Email saveacat@teamfurr.org for appointment. Offers free rabies vaccinations with spay/neuter)

    • Companions Animal Hospital, 589 Highway 65 North, Greenbrier, AR 72058

    • Parker Animal Clinic, 2241 West Main Street, Clarksville, AR 72830

    • Grand Prairie Veterinary Services, 319 West Madison Street, Hazen, AR 72064