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Does PETA advocate spaying and neutering of companion animals?

Yes, vigorously! Each year, 6-8 million precious animals will enter the front doors of animal shelters—and 3-4 million of them will go out the back doors in body bags. All of this misery and death could be prevented through spaying and neutering (surgical sterilization). Every stray cat and every neglected dog came from an animal who wasn’t spayed or neutered.

By preventing animals from being born, we prevent animals from being hit by cars, infected with lingering, painful diseases, attacked by other animals or cruel people, stolen by laboratory dealers, used as bait by dogfighters, or simply stuck outside to die of starvation, exposure, or neglect.

Spaying and neutering will help stop this cycle of abuse. PETA works very hard on this, educating the public about the need to spay and neuter through pamphlets, billboards, letters to the editor, ads, public service announcements, articles, and humane education in schools. We also provide spaying and neutering services for animal companions of low-income families and the elderly.