Spaying and neutering your pets can contribute a positive change to the overall health of the animal. Many owners are worried that removing their reproductive organs will change their animal’s personality, behavior, make them more susceptible to problems and diseases. With spaying and neutering generally there are no lasting issues to behavior, personality, yes there could possibly be short term symptoms of mild behavior changes, sleepier, etc., but that is mainly due to being under anesthesia and try to recover from surgery. It in fact increases your pet’s overall affection level, playfulness, reduces diseases, and reduces unwanted behavior. Like any surgery there are some drawbacks of spaying and neutering, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in my opinion because these possible drawbacks can be managed with a responsible owner. With that said this paper will explore the importance of spaying or neutering pets by reviewing ethical and societal implications pertaining to overpopulation. Sterilization options will be discussed to reduce overpopulation which should have a corollary impact in the reduction of euthanized animals and animals that are abandoned to the streets to fends for themselves. Finally, a discussion on breeders will review how excessive breeding contributes to euthanasia, the dumping or neglect of animals that fail to meet criteria that would allow the animal to be sold at a premium price. Responsible pet owners choose to have their dog or cat sterilized to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. Spaying and neutering are humane, ethical, and responsible ways to prevent unwanted litters, help protect against health problems, and may reduce behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.

The field of veterinary medicine is dedicated to promoting and protecting the mental and physical wellbeing of animals, and thus, it follows that veterinarians are highly vulnerable to experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue. With greater reported suicide rates than those measured among the general population and across other occupations, factors that impede and promote veterinarian wellbeing need to be identified to aide in the implementaion of strategies to better support and sustain mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary profession. Due to the differences in the experiences of general practice, emergency, and specialty veterinarians, recognizing factors that are common practice-specific sources of burnout and compassion fatigue may be helpful in more effectively improving veterinarian wellbeing.