Volunteer Services for Animals
Veterinarian examining a cat at an animal clinic

SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR COMPANION ANIMALS

Why Neutered Animals Live Longer

Spaying and neutering your companion animals not only helps control the pet population, it also provides significant health benefits:

  • Spayed females have a greatly reduced risk of mammary cancer and no risk of uterine or ovarian cancer.
  • Neutered males have no risk of testicular cancer and a reduced risk of prostate problems.
  • Spayed and neutered animals are less likely to roam, reducing the risk of injury from cars or fights.
  • Neutered males are less likely to mark territory or show aggression.
  • Spayed females won't go into heat, eliminating the stress and mess associated with the cycle.

Low Cost Veterinary Care Resources in Rhode Island

  • Care for Animals: 401-738-0808
  • Potter League for Animals: 401-846-8276
  • Providence Animal Control: 401-243-6040

Spay/Neuter Only:

  • Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island: 401-783-7606
  • Providence Animal Control: 401-243-6040
  • Rhode Island SPCA: 401-438-8150

Emergency: Ocean State Veterinary Specialists: 401-886-6787

Wildlife/Sealife: RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife: 401-789-0281

For spay/neuter assistance call the veterinarians listed on the 24/7 VSA helpline 401-273-0358 or email VSA at vsaheadquarters@yahoo.com. Also, visit the Rhode Island Veterinary Access To Care Coalition (RIVACC) for information on veterinary care and spay/neuter surgery.

Cats and Overpopulation

Cats reproduce rapidly. One unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in just seven years. Feral and stray cats face tremendous suffering — starvation, disease, injury, and predation. Spaying and neutering is the only humane solution to cat overpopulation.

  • A cat can become pregnant as young as four months of age.
  • A cat can have up to three litters per year with four to six kittens per litter.
  • Feral cats live short, difficult lives — the average lifespan of a feral cat is less than two years.
  • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs are the most effective and humane way to manage feral cat colonies.

If you need help with your cat, or a stray cat, or would like to find out about volunteer opportunities, send an email to vsaheadquarters@yahoo.com.