Four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them.
Many cats and dogs who die as a result of pet overpopulation could have made wonderful pets. Between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters every year; far too many to all find homes.
A solution is possible and starts with each of us taking one small step: getting our own pets fixed. To help stop pet overpopulation further, consider adopting your next pet from an animal shelter.
Learn more about the pet overpopulation crisis and how, together, we can solve it.
Where to Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
Here are some ideas for locating low-cost surgery options.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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July 28, 2010
Simple Shelter Design
Build a simple shelter for feral cats with this easy design
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July 8, 2010
Pierce Brosnan: Licensed to Spay/Neuter Pets
Pirece Brosnan has created original artwork for a "Spay and Neuter Saves Lives" license plate that will provide funding for free and low-cost surgery programs in California.
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June 15, 2010
De-Sex in the City Dedicated to Reducing Pet Overpopulation
Marleen Oetzel runs a program called De-Sex in the City in Delaware that offers low cost spay and neuters to the area.
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May 28, 2010
Happy Socks, Happy Cats
Our Victories
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July 22, 2010
The HSUS, HSLF Praise Illinois Governor for Signing Primate Pet Ban and Antifreeze Safety Bills
The HSUS and HSLF commend Illinois Gov. Quinn for signing bills to prohibit to private ownership of primates as pets and require the addition of a bitter flavor to antifreeze and engine coolant to prevent poisoning of children and animals.
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July 8, 2010
Governor Signs Bill Ending Greyhound Racing in New Hampshire
The HSUS praises New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch for signing the Greyhound Protection Act into law.
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June 30, 2010
Landmark Ohio Animal Welfare Agreement Reached Among HSUS, Ohioans for Humane Farms, Gov. Strickland, and Leading Livestock Organizations
A deal struck among The HSUS, Ohioans for Humane Farms, Ohio agriculture leaders and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will lead to major animal welfare improvements in Ohio on a raft of issues.
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May 26, 2010
The HSUS Praises Illinois Legislature for Approving Pet Store Disclosure Bill
The HSUS applauds the Illinois legislature for unanimously passing a bill to crack down on the sale of unhealthy puppy mill dogs in Illinois pet shops.