If these statistics aren't enough to convince people to spay and neuter, there are many other convincing points to keep in mind.

First and foremost, your pet will be healthier if you get him or her altered. Spaying removes the danger of uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as considerably diminishing the likelihood of breast cancer. Neutering your pet guarantees he will steer clear of testicular cancer and prostate problems. Studies have indicated that spayed and neutered pets generally live healthier, happier lives.

Neutering your male pet will guard against him roaming the neighborhood, getting into trouble, fights or, worse, lost to you forever. He will no longer have the desire to spray or mark his territory, saving you a mess and a hassle. It will also help with the incessant humping on everything and everyone around that is the trademark of the un-neutered dog. And as far as their feeling like "less of a man"...well, they AREN'T men and they have no concept of what sexual identity even is, much less whether it has been affected by the removal of their testicles. While we have a tendency to anthropomorphize with our pets, attributing human characteristics whenever possible, the reality is that they do not think in the same terms as humans.

Spaying your female animal will do away with their heat cycle, which is messy and can be difficult in dealing with the continuous whining, crying and pacing, not to mention all the (unfortunately) un-neutered males in the neighborhood vying for her attention. Many people believe that female pets should have the chance to have one litter before being spayed, yet studies clearly indicate that it is better for the health of the animal if they are spayed before their first heat.