Spay/neuter isn’t just about animal welfare — it’s a public health priority. The CDC recognizes the critical role that animal welfare organizations play in rabies prevention and in protecting communities from preventable risks.

Uncontrolled populations of unowned and free-roaming cats and dogs create avoidable risks for communities: 

• Zoonotic disease transmission (rabies, toxoplasmosis, parasites)
• Bite incidents and injuries, especially among children
• Traffic accidents involving stray animals
• Community stress and costs for local governments and residents

What is Spay/Neuter? 

Spay/neuter means surgically preventing animals from reproducing. From a public health standpoint, it stops pet overpopulation at the source – turning off the tap so litters are prevented before they are born.

How it Connects to Vaccination

Spay/neuter and vaccination often go hand-in-hand. Vaccination may be required for surgery or as part of the service itself (for example, rabies vaccination is included during the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, or TNR, process for community cats). 

Vaccination protects both animals and people from diseases that can spread between species such as rabies. Widespread vaccination creates a community “safety shield,” reducing the chance of outbreaks and keeping people, pets, and wildlife healthier.

Spay/Neuter Protects Communities

Across the nation, many shelters are being forced to turn animals away—sending them back into communities unaltered and unvaccinated. The result is rising numbers of stray dogs and cats, with greater risks of bites, attacks, and public health emergencies that could otherwise be prevented. 

Communities with proactive spay/neuter and vaccination programs see meaningful impacts:

• Lower shelter intake & euthanasia rates — fewer free-roaming animals, less public cost
• Reduced rabies exposure — more pets vaccinated and fewer strays to track
• Fewer nuisance complaints — reduced or eliminated noise, odor, and property damage from unowned animals
• Healthier, safer neighborhoods — improved quality of life for residents
• Reduced workload for animal control officers and animal shelter staff – fewer calls, fewer animals coming through the door, and less strain on limited space and resources
• More empowered staff – team members feel proud to provide solutions, educate the community, and prevent problems before they start

Fewer puppies and kittens means fewer strays, and fewer chances for people to come into contact with unvaccinated animals. 

When there are fewer animals, it’s easier and more affordable to vaccinate and monitor the population.

Fewer free-roaming animals means less risk of rabies exposure, and fewer people requiring post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). 

Bottom line: No babies. No rabies.

Read more on our blog, or download our No Babies, No Rabies one-pager.

How We Help

United Spay Alliance is a national nonprofit working to make spay/neuter/vaccination accessible, affordable, and timely everywhere.

We focus on:

• Connecting Communities: Our national Spay/Neuter Referral Directory links residents to local resources, including low-cost clinics and support services.
• Building Capacity: Our hands-on veterinary training program equips veterinarians with high-quality, high-volume surgical techniques that increase community capacity.
• Sharing Best Practices: Our State Leader Network brings together experts in population management, providing technical assistance and policy guidance for public officials.
• Educating & Engaging: Through webinars, our annual United Spay Alliance Online Conference, and public campaigns like Feline Fix by Five, we empower stakeholders to act early and effectively.

Explore more of what we do.

What You Can Do

Public health officials are uniquely positioned to support spay/neuter access that benefits communities, individuals, and animals. 

Partner with United Spay Alliance to improve public health outcomes in your community:

• Find Resources: Explore the Spay/Neuter Directory
• Explore Delivery Systems: See how other communities are expanding access to spay/neuter
• Request Consultation: No need to reinvent the wheel! Our network includes leaders who have faced the same challenges you’re tackling and are eager to share their lessons learned. Email us at info@unitedspayalliance.org to start the conversation.