Pet overpopulation is a substantial issue on Hawaiʻi Island. Female dogs and cats can get pregnant as young as four months old. Animal Control & Protection Agency works closely with our partner organizations to ensure that every female dog and cat transferred out for foster or adoption is spayed and every male dog, cat, and small animal is neutered. We encourage all responsible pet owners get their animal spayed or neutered to help do their part to prevent overpopulation of animals on the island.

Spaying and neutering decreases:

• overpopulation
• hormone-driven behaviors such as straying, spraying and marking, and territorial aggression
• the rate of humane euthanasia due to lack of available homes
• the risk of female dogs and cats developing life-threatening conditions such as pyometra (uterine infections) and mammary (breast) cancer 

Spaying and neutering eliminates:

• the risk of testicular cancer in male dogs and cats
• the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer in female dogs and cats

Spaying and neutering increases:

• the average lifespan and health of pets