22/08/2025
✂️🐾 Why You Should De-sex Your Pet 🐾✂️
De-sexing (also known as spaying or neutering) is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible pet owner. It’s not just about preventing unwanted litters — it has lifelong benefits for your pet and helps protect our whole community.
Here’s why it matters:
✅ Health Benefits
De-sexed animals are less likely to develop certain cancers and infections, and they often live longer, healthier lives. It can also reduce unwanted behaviours like spraying, roaming, and aggression.
✅ Prevents Unwanted Litters
Every year, thousands of unwanted kittens and puppies are born across New Zealand. Many of them end up in shelters like ours, looking for homes. De-sexing helps stop the cycle of overpopulation and reduces the pressure on rescue centres.
✅ Better Behaviour
De-sexed pets are often calmer and less likely to roam, fight, or mark territory — making them easier to live with and keeping them safer at home.
✅ Check Your Local Bylaws
Some councils require cats to be de-sexed — especially in areas where stray populations are high. It’s also a condition of adoption through SPCA. De-sexing is a vital part of responsible pet ownership, so be sure to check your local council’s rules.
❤️ At SPCA, All animals rehomed from SPCA Centres are de-sexed, unless it is inappropriate for the species/sex of the animal concerned, or if it is deemed inappropriate by a veterinarian for the particular individual (e.g. for specific health reasons).. We’re committed to making sure no animal is born into suffering or neglect.
💬 Have questions about de-sexing? Wondering what age is best or how to access help? Drop your questions below or visit our website for more info:
· https://www.spca.nz/advocacy/position-statements/article/desexing
· https://www.spca.nz/advice-and-welfare/article/desexing-your-companion-animals-saves-lives?cat=&subcat=
Desexing SPCA advocates for all companion cats, dogs, and other companion animals as deemed appropriate, to be desexed before selling or rehoming, except registered breeding animals. SPCA is concerned about the oversupply of companion animals. The excessive, uncontrolled breeding of companion animal...
