Spay and Neuter

BARCS' surgical team performs thousands of spay/neuter surgeries per year in our shelter. This program serves the homeless pets in our shelter (every pet adopted from BARCS is spayed/neutered upon adoption) as well as outdoor cats in Baltimore.

Why Spay/Neuter Your Pet?

Spaying and neutering are common surgeries that ensure dogs and cats can’t reproduce. Spaying is the surgery for female dogs and cats; neutering is the surgery for male dogs and cats. Making the decision to spay or neuter your pet is one of the most important and beneficial choices you can make for your animal. And when you consider all of the positives, it's also one of the easiest. From your pet’s health and behavior to helping our city’s chronic pet overpopulation problem, spaying and neutering have positive long-term effects on the well-being of your animal and our community. 

Benefits of Spaying Female Pets:

• Decreases the risk of breast cancer and tumors.

• Eliminates uterine disease, ovarian cysts, miscarriages and delivery complications.

• Stops the heat cycle (bloody discharge, nervous pacing, crying/yowling) which, in turn, stops male dogs from having the urge to come into your yard.

Benefits of Neutering Male Pets:

• Decreases the risk of enlarged prostates, testicular cancer and tumors.

• Stops the mating drive and subsequent spraying, reducing the urge to roam and mount.

• Reduces aggression against other animals, lowering the risk of injury, infection and expensive veterinary bills.

BARCS' Spay and Neuter Programs

BARCS Community Cat Program:

​This is a FREE spay/neuter and rabies vaccination program for outdoor cats in Baltimore City. Do you have an outdoor cat colony in your neighborhood? Please call (443) 240-8530 or email us at communitycats@barcs.org to see how we can help you. Click here for the Community Cats Program page.

Adopted Dogs and Cats:

Every pet adopted from our shelter is spayed/neutered before leaving with their new families. There is no additional fee for this service and is included in our $75 adoption fee ($0 for pets 5 years and older).

Help us continue saving lives by making a donation today to BARCS. Our Spay and Neuter Program is just one of the many ways BARCS is helping to keep pets in their loving homes and out of the shelter.