San Francisco has long been recognized as a national leader in animal welfare. This success is built on decades of collaboration between animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, community partners, and pet guardians working together to keep animals healthy, safe, and in loving homes.
One of the key reasons for San Francisco’s success is its sustained effort in accessible spay/neuter services. For decades, the San Francisco SPCA and our partners have worked to ensure that local animals receive this essential preventative care to help prevent unplanned litters before they enter the shelter system.
This work aligns with research by Dr. Sara Pizano, whose model suggests that communities performing approximately 5-10 spay/neuter surgeries per 1,000 residents each year can fundamentally improve shelter outcomes. Sustaining this level of access to care can reduce animal overpopulation, decrease shelter euthanasia, and improve the capacity shelters need to care for animals.
At the SF SPCA, we strongly support spay/neuter as one of the most effective tools for managing animal populations and improving animal welfare. Through our longstanding partnership with San Francisco Animal Care and Control (SFACC), our Shelter Medicine team also performs spay/neuter surgeries for animals in SFACC’s care before they are adopted. In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, our Spay/Neuter and Shelter Medicine teams provided over 11,500 spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals, community cats, and pets in our community. Additionally, we spayed and neutered more than 13,000 animals in the Central Valley of California, for a total of more than 26,500 surgeries as an organization.
While we believe spay/neuter is essential, we do not support mandatory spay/neuter laws.
Existing research on mandatory spay/neuter
The SF SPCA’s position is informed by decades of animal welfare research, including findings summarized by the ASPCA and other leading animal welfare and veterinary organizations, which conclude that there is no credible evidence that mandatory spay/neuter laws significantly reduce shelter intake or euthanasia beyond what can be achieved through voluntary spay/neuter programs.
Reviews of mandatory spay/neuter policies have also found no consistent evidence that mandates alone reduce shelter intake or euthanasia rates. The ASPCA’s review of available research notes that mandatory laws may also create unintended consequences, including discouraging pet licensing or increasing shelter surrenders when the cost of spay/neuter compliance becomes a barrier for pet guardians.
Major animal welfare and veterinary organizations, including the ASPCA, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and Best Friends Animal Society, oppose mandatory spay/neuter requirements in favor of strategies that expand access to care and encourage voluntary participation.
The ASPCA and other national animal welfare organizations recommend a multifaceted approach that combines affordable spay/neuter services, targeted outreach, public education, and community partnerships. These strategies address the underlying factors that contribute to shelter intake rather than relying on a single policy solution.
Understanding the challenges facing pets and families
Reducing shelter intake begins with understanding why animals enter shelters in the first place. Effective public policy should address the primary drivers of shelter intake and direct resources toward interventions proven to have the greatest impact.
Today, animal welfare organizations across the country are seeing the effects of broader social and economic challenges. Housing instability, rising costs, limited access to veterinary care, and other barriers can make it difficult for families to keep their pets healthy and in their homes. Many animals also enter shelters because of circumstances beyond a guardian’s control, such as illness, death, eviction, or other life emergencies. Shelter populations are shaped by a complex combination of factors, many of which are unrelated to whether a pet has been spayed or neutered.
Why access to care matters
While spay/neuter should remain a cornerstone of any strategy to reduce shelter intake and improve animal welfare, sustainable progress depends on making these services accessible to every pet guardian.
Research consistently shows that one of the greatest barriers to spay/neuter services is access. Studies from the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition and ASPCA-supported research have found that expanding access to veterinary services increases the use of preventative care, including spay/neuter. When services are affordable, conveniently located, culturally responsive, and paired with transportation or financial assistance when needed, participation increases significantly. Making it easier for people to care for their pets leads to healthier animals and stronger communities.
Expanding access to affordable veterinary care is the most effective long-term strategy for improving animal welfare. At the SF SPCA, 73% of spay/neuter surgeries performed through our Community Medicine Program in the 2025-2026 fiscal year were fully or partially subsidized, helping ensure that cost is not the deciding factor in whether a pet receives this important surgery.
Removing financial and logistical barriers, expanding affordable spay/neuter programs, and building trust in our local communities are more likely to increase participation over one-size-fits-all mandates. By focusing on access, we can achieve the shared goal of increasing spay/neuter while also addressing the broader challenges that contribute to shelter intake.
Building trust leads to better outcomes
When pet guardians feel supported, they are more likely to seek preventative veterinary care and participate in programs that benefit their pets and the broader community.
This understanding guides the SF SPCA Community Medicine Program. We recognize that access to care is a structural issue, not an individual failing, which is why we have built a connected system of services designed to increase trust and meet families where they are. Our Community Medicine Program includes our Spay/Neuter Clinic, Community Veterinary Clinic, Mobile Vaccine Clinics, and Community Ambassadors, all working together to create multiple entry points into veterinary care.
We bring care into neighborhoods, connect families with trusted resources, provide subsidized veterinary services to reduce financial barriers, and offer referral pathways to more advanced care when needed. By building relationships and removing barriers, we help more pets receive preventative care, including spay/neuter, while strengthening the long-term health of pets.
A more effective path forward
The SF SPCA believes the most effective way to improve animal welfare is by investing in proven, community-centered solutions—not blanket mandates. These include:
- Expanding affordable and accessible spay/neuter services
- Providing financial assistance for pet guardians who need additional support
- Using data to identify where targeted services can have the greatest impact
- Strengthening partnerships with community organizations to increase awareness and voluntary participation
- Continuing to invest in accessible veterinary care and preventative services that keep pets healthy and with the families who love them
Working toward a stronger future for animals
The SF SPCA remains committed to expanding access to care, strengthening community partnerships, and advocating for evidence-based solutions that improve the lives of animals.
We believe the best policies are those that empower pet guardians and make it easier for every family to access the care their pets need. By focusing on collaboration, compassion, and access to care, we can continue building a more humane future for animals.