Spay & Neuter

Why Spay or Neuter?

There are several health and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets). For many of us, our pets are just like family. We dote on them, love them, and want to ensure the best care for them. At Watauga Humane Society, we feel the same and aim to help educate pet owners about these benefits while also helping control pet populations.

Health Benefits

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

Behavioral Benefits

Your spayed female pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!

Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.

Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

Sourced from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®)

Health Benefits

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.


Behavioral Benefits

Your spayed female pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!

Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.

Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

Sourced from: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®)


Pets can be fixed as early as 4 months old.
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet.

SNIPS Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program

In an effort to reduce unwanted pet populations, the Watauga Humane Society SNIPS (Spay/Neuter Is a Positive Solution) spay/neuter program raises the necessary funds in order to facilitate low cost spay/neuter surgeries for community animals of Watauga and Ashe County residents. These dedicated volunteers also help educate the community through outreach events to help reduce animal intake and euthanasia numbers.

By partnering with local veterinarians and Asheville’s ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance, we have been able to spay/neuter over 1000 cats and dogs in 2018! That is a lot of unwanted litters prevented!

What does it cost?

Female & Male Cats - $15
Female & Male Dogs - $25

Additional services such as other vaccinations, microchipping, and nail trims are available upon request.
Pricing may vary.

Make a reservation!

Call our Spay/Neuter line: 828-264-7865 ext. 4, or email whs.spayneuter@wataugahumanesociety.org, and leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, and information on your pet!

Pets can be altered between 4-6 months of age, depending on the veterinary service being used. Females must not be lactating. Mothers must be away from their babies for 2 weeks minimum to stop producing milk.