The autumn 2002 issue of Paws to Think carries an excellent article by veteran veterinarian,  W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M., that makes a very strong case for this practice.  It is being done more and more.   However, some veterinarians, pet owners, and others involved in animal care are still reluctant to do early-age surgery, preferring to wait until the pet is at least six months old.

Any surgery and anesthesia involves risks, just as it does for human beings.  The case for early spay/neuter includes the following points:

1.    Studies show there are less complications with those altered at 12 weeks or younger.  The surgery requires less time and the little ones bounce back much more quickly.
2.    Early spay/neuter is the only way to be sure an unwanted pregnancy does not occur.
3.    Most veterinarians charge by weight, with additional charges for complications requiring extra time, so the procedure is more affordable for pet owners.
4.    The risks involved in spaying/neutering adults dogs that are hard to handle, overweight, in heat, etc. are far greater than early-age surgery.
5.    Pets are less fearful and less traumatized when their surgery is done as neophytes (8-12 weeks) or juveniles (3-5 months).  Most "surprise" litters occur because the owners put off surgery, thinking the cat or dog was not old enough or would not be exposed (approximately 20% of accidental litters happened when the owners thought their pets were controlled in such a way this would not be possible).

Please spread the word to everyone you know.   Pet overpopulation will never go away as long as there are people who will not do early spay/neuter.  The most common age for a pet to be abandoned or surrendered at the shelter is around a year old.  Not only has the novelty of having a cute puppy worn off,  the cat or dog is already pregnant or at least showing signs of sexual  maturity making the owner fear pregnancy might happen.   Delayed spay/neuter leads the pets to wander, which in turns leads to many tragedies: they get lost, stolen, hit by cars, shot or poisoned by irate people, etc.