Neutering

The RSPCA rehomes thousands of unwanted dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, rabbits and guinea pigs every year. Neutering is a good way to help solve this problem.
  • What is neutering?  
    Neutering or 'spaying' a female animal involves removing the womb and ovaries (an ovaro-hysterectomy). Males are castrated - the testicles are removed. Both operations are straightforward - they are carried out under general anaesthetic and the animals recover quickly.
  • When should a cat or dog be neutered?
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    Cat neutering should be carried out as early as possible in order to avoid unwanted litters. Most cats are sexually mature at six months, but some cats can become pregnant as early as five months. Therefore, the ideal age to neuter your cat is between four and five months. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to offer you further advice on the best time to neuter your cat.

    At RSPCA Walsall, if your cat is done through our subsidised neutering scheme, they can be done from 10 weeks of age.

    Thousands of unwanted puppies are born every year, and the RSPCA strongly advises neutering at an early age. This is a straightforward operation that can be arranged with a vet, and again, through our scheme they can be done from 10 weeks of age.

    Unneutered female dogs (bitches) come into season up to twice a year and may have up to 12 puppies in each litter!

  • Rabbits


    • In the case of rabbits, neutering can dramatically change their behaviour for the better. Some unneutered females can become territorial and seem aggressive in their hutches which can make them hard to handle. Also pairs can start to fight if they are not neutered, this applies to males and females. Usually unneutered rabbits live alone which is far from ideal considering how highly socially evolved they are. By having them neutered it allows us to pair them up and make for much happier rabbits.

    Research has now shown that unneutered female rabbits are 85% likely to develop uterine cancer by the time they are 5 years old. This is a killer cancer for rabbits, so yet another good reason to get them neutered.

  • Guinea Pigs


    • At the RSPCA Walsall, we only neuter male guinea pigs. A spay for a female guinea pig is a very invasive procedure and we feel the risk is too high to take. However, male guinea pigs can be castrated with a much smaller risk to their life. By neutering the males, it allows us to be able to pair them up. If not related or bonded early in life, two unneutered males may not get on and could fight leaving nasty injuries. Neutering can be a lifeline that allows lonely male guinea pigs to cohabit and lead a happy and social life.

    More detailed information on neutering animals is available, just click on the animal that you are interested in below,