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Association's (AVMA) position toward the procedure,14 insufficient research to verity the procedure's long-term safety, and a perception that the procedure is unnecessary. In a recent study by Spain, et al.,` follow-up was available for cats who underwent gonadectomy and were adopted from an animal shelter before 1 year of age. The study concluded that gonadectomy before 5.5 months of age was not associated with increased rates of death or relinquishment or occurrence of any serious medical or behavioral condition and may provide certain long-term benefits, especially for male cats. In another recent study by Spain, et al.,s follow-up was available for as long as 11 years after surgery of dogs who underwent gonadectomy and were adopted from an animal shelter before 1 year of age. The study concluded that pediatric gonadectomy appears to offer more benefds than risks to male dogs and that animal shelters can safely gonadectomize male dogs at a young age and veterinary practitioners should consider routine gonadectomy for client-owned male dogs before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months. For female dogs, however, due to the possible increase of urinary incontinence associated with pediatric ovariohysterectomysnggests that delaying gonadectomy until at least 3 months of age may be beneficial.' The non-reproductive effects of spaying and neutering that may have been overlooked include increased obesity in dogs and cats; increased prostate cancer, urinary incontinence and cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs; and a number of undesirable behaviors, such as aggression in female dogs, are worse in spayed or neutered dogs.' Why Shelters Fail to Pertorm Pediatric Spay Neuter Many shelters rely on veterinarians within the community to spay and neuter shelter pets before they are adopted. According to an American Humane Association survey, 57% of shelters contacted were not providing pediatric spay/neuter primarily because they could not find veterinarians in their community who would perform these surgeries.15 The costs of irresponsible breeding are overwhelming. Communities spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to control and eliminate unwanted pets and stray animals. Significant resources are spent to pick-up, feed and care for stray animals; to reunite lost animals with their owners or to adopt them out; or to euthanize unadoptable animals. Not only do surplus animals drain the coffers of local government and shelters, but the emotional toll on employees is also substantial. Spay and neuter laws help communities. The following are state laws regarding spaying and neutering of dogs and cats: ^ Arkansas and California require dogs and cats from animal shelters in highly- populated areas to be spayed or neutered. Residents in low population areas must enter into agreements with the shelter. ^ Eighteen states require a new owner to enter into a written agreement and pay a deposit: AZ, CT, FL, KS, MA, MI, MT, NV, NM, NY, ND, OK, PA, RI, TN, UT, VA, and WV. 4