Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases, the operation is performed while the animal is under anesthesia.

Here at Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic, we follow the ASPCA Humane Alliance Scrotal Neuter Technique for dogs of all ages. Below is the main difference from a prescrotal approach.

  1. An incision is made directly in the scrotal skin versus the prescrotal area to access the testicles.
  2. One subcutaneous stitch is placed in the scrotal skin to allow for drainage. In puppies, the scrotum is surgically glued.

Research has shown the scrotal approach results in less trauma, less hematoma formation, and decreased pain.

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.

Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.

Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of mammary tumors (breast cancer), particularly when your pet is spayed before her first heat.

Neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Altering your pet can lessen undesirable behaviors such as spraying, roaming, aggression, and mounting.

Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic uses an anesthesia protocol that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association.  Licensed veterinarians perform the surgery while the animal is under full anesthesia.

Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic will spay or neuter puppies and kittens when they are 8 weeks old. They recover from spay/neuter surgery very quickly! Pediatric spay/neuter is safe and less stressful on the animal than waiting until it’s older.

If your dog or cat is more than 7 years old, we strongly recommend that you take your dog or cat to a full service veterinarian to have blood tests done before surgery; this will tell us that his or her liver and kidneys are working properly. We also will require you to sign a high risk waiver for surgery. Please call us if you have any questions at 401.369.PAWS (7297).

Potter League for Animals is a non-profit organization, and we work hard at raising donations and applying for grants to help subsidize the true, higher cost of spay and neuter procedures. Since we offer only spay or neuter surgeries and limited vaccines, our surgical process is streamlined and efficient.

  1. Spayed/neutered pets are more affectionate companions and exhibit fewer behavior problems, such as aggression, spraying urine in your home (urine marking), and embarrassing humping (sexual) behavior.
  2. Spayed/neutered pets are less likely to roam, run away, and get into fights.
  3. Spayed female pets don’t have heat periods – no more messy bleeding, crying, anxiety, and attracting boyfriends.
  4. Spaying/neutering can prevent fights between pets.
  5. Spay/neuter can reduce your veterinary bills! If your female pet cannot birth her kittens or puppies, you face an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital for a C-section, which may cost $2,000 or more (small breed dogs such as Chihuahuas are especially likely to need a C-section).
  6. Spayed female pets have a lower risk of breast cancer, especially when spayed before their first heat. Breast cancer in pets is 90% fatal in cats and 50% fatal in dogs. Spaying eliminates any risk of life-threatening uterine infection, as well as any risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
  7. Neutered male pets have no risk of testicular cancer, and a much lower risk of prostate disease, rectal cancer, and perineal hernias.

We do not perform surgery on English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, or Pekingese breeds. We require a breathing test before scheduling for any “bully” mix, Boston Terriers, Japanese Chin, and Brussels Griffon breeds. Additionally, we also do not perform surgery on Persian, Himalayan, or British Shorthair cat breeds. Other breed-specific tests to be done before scheduling would be a Van Willebrands for Dobermans.

Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic services Rhode Island-owned pets as well as shelters and rescues.

Myths & Facts

Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy.

Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.

Myth: It’s better to have just one litter first.

Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier and have a reduced possibility of developing mammary (breast) cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize puppies and kittens as young as eight weeks of age.

Myth: My children should experience the miracle of birth.

Fact: By allowing your pet to give birth, you are contributing to pet overpopulation. Explain to your children that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others and consider fostering a pregnant animal from a shelter or rescue group if you still feel the need to see the “miracle of birth.”

Myth: My pet is a purebred and they aren’t allowed in shelters.

Fact: At least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country is a purebred.  There are just too many cats and dogs, both mixed breed and purebred.

Myth: I want my dog to be protective.

Fact: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

Myth: Dogs and cats cannot be safely spayed while pregnant.

Fact: Dogs and cats CAN be safely spayed while pregnant.

Myth: I don’t want my dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

Fact: Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

Myth: My dog (cat) is so special, I want a puppy (kitten) just like her.

Fact: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn’t mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can’t guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner’s chances are even slimmer.

Myth: It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.

Fact: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet and a number of other variables.  But, whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost – a relatively small cost when compared to the cost of caring for a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter. Most importantly, it’s a very small price to pay for the health of your pet.

Myth: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.

Fact: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.

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