US risks pet overpopulation due to lack of spayed animals in lockdown

A survey of 212 US veterinary clinics from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary revealed that, since the beginning of the pandemic, many veterinarians suspended nonessential services such as routine spay-neuter surgeries.

Veterinarians and clinics focused their efforts mainly on lifesaving and critical care, according to the research.

In 2019, total surgeries decreased by 13% to 1,059,388 in 2020. The least number of operations being in March (-22%) and April (-80%). In 2021, the surveyed clinics performed 1,184,274 operations (-3%).

Neuter surgeries in dogs decreased both in 2020 and 2021 by 19% and 14%, respectively. Cat figures dropped by 10% in 2020 and slightly increased by 3% in 2021.

Millions of surgeries not performed

The researchers believe that if the same patterns are experienced nationwide, there would be a deficit of more than 2.7 million spay/neuter surgeries that animal welfare organizations have yet to address.

With many animals still able to reproduce, American cities could see more dogs and cats on the streets or in shelters.  

“Pet overpopulation seems to be increasing, leading to increased shelter euthanasia for the first time in many years,” said Simone Guerios, the study’s lead author.

According to 2021 Euromonitor data, the US has a pet population of 87.9 million dogs (+4%) and 87.3 million cats (+3.8%).