What Our Shelter Vet Wants You to Know About Spay and Neuter
Many pet owners are surprised to learn that certain cancers and serious infections are directly linked to whether a pet has been spayed or neutered.
Conditions like pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection, and mammary cancer occur far more frequently in unaltered animals. These diagnoses can be overwhelming for families and often require emergency or specialty care.
For those of us in the shelter and rescue field, this isn’t just a seasonal reminder, though we appreciate that February gives us an opportunity to amplify the message. It’s about long-term health. It’s about prevention. And it’s about protecting the animals who depend on us every single day.
At Pets In Need, we see every day how early decisions shape an animal’s future. Every tail truly tells a story, and preventive care is often one of the first chapters.
For Dr. Emily Scott, that belief is not just professional. It is personal.
Inspired by a Family Pet, Now a Shelter Vet
“It was the summer after 6th grade when everything clicked. My family brought home a puppy named Cassie, and I just knew. This is what I'm going to do with my life.”
Dr. Scott grew up caring for animals of every kind, including horses, rabbits, hamsters, and fish. But it was Cassie, a sweet and stubborn family dog who lived 14 wonderful and medically eventful years, who ultimately guided her toward veterinary medicine.
Watching Cassie navigate health scares, treatments, and recoveries left a lasting impression. It gave a young Emily an early understanding of something she now sees every day in shelter medicine: a pet’s long-term health is often shaped by decisions made early in life.
After veterinary school in Philadelphia, an internship in San Francisco, and years in emergency medicine, Dr. Scott discovered that shelter medicine was where she felt most at home. She recently joined the team at Pets In Need, drawn to the animals who need the strongest advocates.
“I’ve always been drawn to the animals that need the most advocacy. Working in shelter medicine means I get to care for them every single day.
Why This Work Matters Every Day
When people hear “spay and neuter,” it can sound routine. But in practice, the impact is significant.
“These aren't rare edge cases,” she says. “They're things I see regularly, and they're heartbreaking because most of them could have been avoided.”
Preventive care can feel quiet. There is no emergency room visit. No sudden diagnosis. And that’s exactly the point.
By choosing to spay or neuter your pet, you are reducing serious health risks before they ever appear. You are also helping prevent unplanned litters that place additional strain on shelters and rescue organizations.
It is one decision that protects your pet and strengthens the entire community.
Removing Barriers to Care
Of course, wanting to do what is best for your pet and being able to access that care are not always the same.
Cost, transportation, and scheduling challenges can make preventive services feel out of reach, even for families who are deeply committed to their animals.
That is why accessible spay and neuter services matter.
At Pets In Need, affordable spay and neuter appointments are part of our broader commitment to keeping pets healthy and families together. Our Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics, Community Veterinary Clinic, and Pet Pantry work together to support families before small concerns become larger ones.
“When I recommend a pet be spayed or neutered, I want to follow up with, and here’s how you can make that happen.”
Access should never be the reason a pet goes without preventive care.
A Reminder That Matters
February helps shine a national spotlight on spay and neuter, but the importance of this decision extends far beyond a single month.
“I've seen what happens when people put it off. I've also seen the relief on a pet owner's face when they know their animal is protected. That's what this month is about.”
Ready to Schedule Your Pet's Spay or Neuter?
Spay and neuter is one of the simplest ways to protect your pet’s long-term health while also supporting the broader community of animals who need homes.
If your pet has not yet been spayed or neutered, we are here to help.