Does PETA advocate spaying and neutering of companion animals?

Yes, vigorously! On any given day in the United States, there are an estimated 70 million homeless dogs and cats struggling to survive. Homeless dogs and cats on the streets get hit by cars, are vulnerable to attacks by other animals and cruel people, and contract, spread, suffer and die from contagious diseases. 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.