* Curbing aggression: Studies indicate that neutered pets are less aggressive, less likely to get in fights, less likely to engage in territorial marking and less likely to bite. Neutering does not appear to affect a dog's protective behavior.

* Safety: Neutered/spayed pets (especially males) are less likely to roam. When we spay or neuter pets, we are removing the hormones that feed into the instinct to find a mate and reproduce. So sterilized animals are less driven to escape, wander and look for mates, and less likely to get hit by cars and get into fights with other animals while roaming in search for females. Research indicates that 80 percent of dogs hit by cars are unaltered males. Neutering will not necessarily stop a dog from being aggressive or marking territory if the dog has already learned these behaviors. This is why neutering before reaching sexual maturity (at six months) is such a good idea. It helps prevent the dog from acquiring these learned behaviors.

* Health: Spaying and neutering helps pets live longer, healthier lives. The risks of cancer are drastically reduced in both male and females.

* Curbing anxiety: The hormones in a dog�s body makes him anxious and unsettled. Some veterinarians believe that many intact dogs suffer from neuroses evidenced by excessive licking, scratching and other unhealthy and undesirable behaviors.

* Sterilization does not change the pet's personality or cause weight gain. Neutered animals are as active, playful, protective and watchful as intact ones. The only behavioral changes involve some of the less desirable male habits such as marking, mounting and inter-male aggression, which are reduced or eliminated in 50 to 60 percent of dogs as a result of neutering.

The younger a pet is spayed/neutered, the simpler the surgery and the faster the recovery.

                            Benefits for people:                             

* Neutered dogs are less likely to mark furniture and rugs with urine. Cats are less likely to spray.

* Spayed females will not have heat cycles that soil rugs and furniture. Heat cycles (estrus) lasts 6 to 12 days, often twice a year in dogs and 6 to 7 days, three or more times a year, in cats. Cats in heat often wail, and dogs and cats in heat attract unwanted males. Females in heat also tend to wander and urinate more frequently in a marking fashion, which advertises their availability for mating.

* Spayed females usually shed less fur.

* Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of many serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat -- which means lower medical bills.

* Neutered pets are less prone to roaming, getting into fights and biting. Intact pets tend to display more behavior and temperament problems than sterilized pets do.

                                      When to Neuter and Spay: 

Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age, so it is important to spay and neuter pets by that age.  However, older animals can typically be spayed and neutered safely as well.  Check with your local vet.