February 4, 2025
By: Jade Garrett – SPCA Albrecht Center Events & Fundraising Manager
Every year, millions of cats and dogs enter shelters across the country, and unfortunately, many don’t make it out. In fact, 80% of animals euthanized in US shelters are otherwise healthy. (Kitten Coalition) The heartbreaking truth is that there simply aren’t enough homes for all of them. That’s why spaying and neutering is one of the most effective ways to prevent unnecessary suffering and reduce the issue of pet overpopulation.
The Overpopulation Crisis
Pet overpopulation isn’t just a shelter issue — it’s a widespread community problem. Cats and dogs reproduce at astonishing rates. A single unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce more than 350,000 kittens in just seven years. (PETA) A single unaltered female dog and her puppies can lead to tens of thousands of new dogs in just six years.
Without intervention, these numbers quickly spiral out of control. While many no-kill shelters like the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare do not euthanize healthy animals for space, we face the difficult decision of limiting the number of pets we can accept in our care, while others must euthanize due to overcrowding. As shelters fill up, stray and abandoned animals are left to fend for themselves, often facing starvation, disease, and injury.
Why Spaying & Neutering Matters
Spaying and neutering offer significant health benefits. Spaying before a female’s first heat cycle reduces the risk of mammary cancer and eliminates life-threatening uterine infections. Neutering prevents testicular cancer and lowers prostate issues, leading to a longer, healthier life. These procedures also improve behavior, as neutered males are less likely to show aggression, mark territory, or roam, while spayed females avoid the stress of heat cycles and escape attempts. Programs like Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) also help control community cat populations, allowing them to live healthier lives. Many low-cost programs, including our own SPCA Veterinary Care Center, make these procedures accessible, saving owners from the higher costs of caring for a litter and helping to prevent future overpopulation.
Saving Lives Starts with Prevention
Spaying and neutering is a simple, humane solution to a heartbreaking problem. By taking action, we can reduce shelter overcrowding, lower euthanasia rates, and give more animals a chance at a loving home. This Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, let’s work together to create a future where every pet has a chance to be wanted, loved, and cared for.
Jade Garrett is the Events & Fundraising Manager for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She is a seasoned marketing professional who found her way to the shelter in the fall of 2023. With a lifelong passion for animal welfare, she is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of homeless animals in our community for many years to come.
