Understanding the impact of sterilization
What is sterilization?
Animal sterilization, also known as spaying or neutering, is a surgical procedure that removes part of an animal's reproductive organs to prevent it from reproducing. Only seven states have mandatory spay and neuter laws in place, each with its own specific requirements and exemptions. A reduction in the number of unwanted litters creates a smaller homeless pet population, more rooms in our shelters and rescues, and a smaller burden on our local economy.
"When a clinic spays or neuters 5,000 animals in a year, that prevents more than 100 times that number of unwanted animals...It really makes a difference."
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-Angela Chapman, New Leash
"There's proof in the pudding"
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From July 2011 through December 2023, the Sumner SpayNeuter Alliance Clinic in Gallatin, TN performed 105,659 spay/neuter surgeries. The numbers below are a representation of how an increase in sterilization has a direct correlation to intake and euthanasia rates.
2020 and 2021 numbers were impacted by the Covid pandemic.
Male dogs have excellent senses of smell and can sense an intact female in heat up to 3 miles away. Dogs have geographic territories, and they can generally detect any intact females within those boundaries
-Dr. Debra Primovic, DVM
States like Indiana permit pop up clinics which set up in places like churches and community centers. Allowing a clinic to temporarily set up in underserved areas could affect the animal overpopulation exponentially, and save taxpayers some money by creating space in local shelters (see chart). Tennessee permitting regulations make it nearly impossible for an organization to offer such services, as they require any veterinary clinic to be inspected and permitted before becoming operational, preventing "pop up" clinics from offering their services in areas with limited access to vet care. If these permitting laws were amended, organizations like Animal Balance could have a presence in Tennessee and help impact the animal overpopulation.
Data provided by Pet Services of Indiana, 2024.
Understanding access in Tennessee
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Spaying and neutering is one of the most effective ways to reduce animal overpopulation, but access isn't always as simple as telling people to "just get it done." In many parts of Tennessee, affordable spay/neuter services are limited or nonexistent, creating real barriers for pet owners who want to do the right thing but may not have the financial means, transportation, or nearby options available. With veterinary costs continuing to rise, private veterinary clinics are not always a realistic option for every household, making low-cost programs and clinics an important part of the solution.
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The map below helps illustrate why animal overpopulation remains a challenge in many communities by highlighting gaps in access to affordable spay/neuter services. It also serves as a resource for pet owners looking for low-cost options in their area. For a closer look at the low-cost options in your area, visit spaytennessee.org.
Data provided by
1. Bedford County
2. Bradley County
3. Campbell County
4. Claiborne County
5. Cumberland County
6. Davidson County
7. Hamilton County
8. Knox County
9. Lincoln County
10. Loudoun County
11. Maury County
12. McMinn County
13. Monroe County
14. Montgomery County
15. Putnam County
16. Roane County
17. Robertson County
18. Rutherford County
19. Sequatchie County
20. Sevier County
21. Shelby County
22. Sullivan County
23. Sumner County
24. Union County
25. Warren County
26. Washington County
Expanding access to affordable spay/neuter services is critical to creating long-term, sustainable solutions for Tennessee animals and the communities that care for them. If you live in any of the above counties and you're looking for affordable spay/neuter options, visit spaytennessee.org.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS KEY
Tennessee state law requires that dogs and cats being adopted from an agency, animal shelter, dog pound, animal control agency or humane shelter, whether operated by a private organization or the government, must be spayed or neutered. If the animal is unable to be fixed prior to adoption, the new owner signs a written agreement with the agency stating that he/she will have the dog or cat spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian: 1) Within 30 days of the date of the adoption, if such dog or cat is sexually mature; or 2) Within 30 days after the dog or cat reaches six (6) months of age, if the dog or cat is not sexually mature at the time of the adoption.
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Why are we highlighting this? Because shelters in rural organizations are not doing this, nor are many rescue organizations. Here's a report from 2008 capturing this information and nothing has been done about it since. This is a prime example a law already being in place – but what we need is regulation for it.
​Our mission statement very intentionally includes the word "collaboratively" when speaking to legal reform. This is because we understand that the solution is not to just ban activities that may contribute to our animal overpopulation (in fact, that's very hard to do). It's critical that we approach these issues equipped with the knowledge that takes into consideration a range of perspectives, and that we can ensure there are resources in place to uphold an expectation. Therefore, we're in favor of an approach where incentives for sterilization are provided (reduced licensing fees, tax incentives, etc.), in conjunction with accessible and affordable sterilization programs.
​Spay/neuter misconceptions worth talking about
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Myth: Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.
Fact: Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor their food intake. Spaying and neutering will not impact this.
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Myth: Neutering will cause behavioral changes.
Fact: Some undesirable behaviors may change when your pet is sterilized (ie. marking, mounting, etc.). Neutering may also help avoid some aggression problems or undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone. However, it's important to note that there are no guarantees. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality, physiology and history.
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Myth: Spay/neuter operations are expensive.
Fact: The cost of a pet’s spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of caring for a litter. Additionally, there are many organizations that offer free or low-cost spay/neuter services for pet owners. If you're local to Tennessee, click here for low-cost resources.
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Myth: Spaying and neutering is unhealthy for pets.
Fact: Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spay/neuter will help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
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Myth: Neutering will make my pet feel like less of a male.
Fact: Pets have no concept of ego or sexual identity, and neutering won’t change that. What might change, however, is that your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home, as an intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
In 2024, West Virginia introduced House Bill 4944, relating to allowing a tax credit for the cost of spaying or neutering a dog or cat. Click here to read the full bill.
47%
The amount of TN residents who have dogs – that's the 10th highest in the nation.
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"Because of a lack of leash and spay/neuter laws and less municipal money for animal control and care compared to other regions — coupled with a culture of generally letting people do whatever the hell they please — the stray-pet population in the South is far greater than other parts of the country."
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- The Bitter Southerner, 2024
Why should you care?
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Are you a taxpayer? An unsterilized dog or cat relates directly to the animal overpopulation problem. As the animal population increases, the more money your municipal shelter will need to support the care of these animals, which is funded by taxpayer dollars. Are you someone who allows your unsterilized dog to roam free? If so, your dog is likely determined to find a mate and breed in the wild – creating a litter of homeless dogs which continues to put a strain on shelters and rescues, creating a need for more funding and increasing the rate of euthanized animals. Do you enjoy the freedom you currently have to decide whether or not your sterilize your animals? As the animal population continues to skyrocket, this freedom may be taken away from you as a result of irresponsible pet owners.
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This affects all of us.
Simple ways you can help
1
Support spay and neuter programs
Support your community's low-cost spay and neuter programs the best you can. We can't expect people to fix their pets if resources aren't made available to them. You can find spay/neuter services here.
2
Adopt from local rescues and shelters
It is Tennessee law that shelters must spay or neuter an animal before it's adopted. A similar mandate applies to local rescues. Save money and start off your pet ownership on a responsible foot.
3
Educate the people in your community
One of our biggest goals is to push our community to understand that not only are all of our animal overpopulation issues related, but they impact each and every one of us.