Published Feb 26, 2026
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
We conscientious cat parents don’t need another reason why our pets should be spayed and neutered, but we will share this encouraging statistic anyway: Cats and dogs who are already spayed and neutered when they enter the animal shelter system are about 25 percent more likely to be adopted, according to data from Best Friends Animal Society.
With February designated as Spay and Neuter Month, the no-kill sanctuary for homeless animals based in Kanab, Utah has highlighted this aspect of animal shelter statistics. Cats and dogs who enter shelters intact face a greater risk of unnecessarily dying. This is likely due in part to shelters being able to put spayed and neutered cats up for adoption immediately, rather than waiting to get them fixed first; meanwhile, a shelter may be operating at or near capacity.
Another possible reason why pre-fixed cats get adopted more easily is that some shelters do not spay or neuter animals before letting people adopt them. This is unfortunate and very risky, because many pet owners can’t be trusted to do the right thing; and, some adopters might pass on an intact cat because of the cost involved in taking the cats in for surgery.
“Too many dogs and cats are still being killed in shelters each year,” Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends, says in a press release. “Spaying and neutering is a proven, lifesaving step that helps reduce the number of pets entering the shelter system and directly improves the adoption outcome for those waiting for loving homes.”
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
The number about spaying and neutering and adoption comes from Best Friends’ most recent statistics about animal shelters. According to those figures, there is good news and bad news in the big picture. I prefer to start with the bad news, in order to end on a positive note: 4.8 million dogs and cats entered American shelters in 2024, and 425,000 were killed in shelters, including 188,000 cats.
The tragedy of this waste of life is unbearable. Yet here is the good news: In 2024, about 8,000 more dogs and cats were saved from shelters than during the previous year of 2023. That shows progress, even though we have a long way to go to reach nationwide no-kill status, which is the goal of Best Friends.
In the United States, we see amazing progress in that two out of three shelters have reached no-kill status, with hundreds more getting there, according to the Best Friends figures.There are still 1,300 shelters that are not yet no-kill.
“This is a stark reminder that even small gains can lead to life-changing progress for pets and communities alike – and that together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our best friends,” a statement on the statistics page says.
We agree. We all can do our part to help achieve Best Friends’ no-kill goal and end the tragedy of shelters euthanizing healthy, loving, adoptable cats due to overcrowding. First, spay and neuter your own cats, if you haven’t already. The primary reason is to prevent reproduction that adds to overpopulation, but spaying and neutering also has other benefits. It can curb unwanted hormonal behaviors like urine spraying, and decrease or eliminate the risks of certain cancers.
Next, donate money and/or time and resources to animal shelters and rescues, and step up to help cats in need. Fostering, which I have done for nearly 20 years, is an incredible opportunity to save lives!
I see so many posts in Facebook groups for cat rescuers, and whenever I am able to, I step in to help a cat or kitten in need of rescue. One of those foster kittens, who was found at about 3 months old in a rural area and urgently needed a place to go, is now a beloved cat in my household. Two summers ago, I drove down to Virginia to rescue a mother cat on death row and her four newborn kittens; aside from one kitten dying, all were adopted into good homes. I have stepped up to pay for a spay or neuter for a stray cat or someone else’s cat. Think about how many homeless felines we could prevent if everyone volunteered to pay for a spay or neuter, and offered to help trap a stray cat to get the animal fixed!
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
With spring just weeks away, kitten season will be starting soon in many areas, and shelters and rescues will get flooded with babies. They need your help more than ever, so please do something to support these babies and their moms. Here, we give a helpful guide about kitten season and how to help.
For all the information you need about spaying and neutering, check out our complete guide.