Editing Neutering (section)

{{short description|Removal of an animal's reproductive organ}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
'''Neutering''', from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|neuter}} ('of neither sex'),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/lookup.pl?stem=neuter&ending=|title=Latin Word Lookup|website=www.archives.nd.edu}}</ref> is the removal of a non-human animal's [[sex organ|reproductive organ]], either all of it or a considerably large part. The male-specific term is '''castration''', while '''spaying''' is usually reserved for female animals. Colloquially, both terms are often referred to as '''fixing'''.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fix "Fix"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121130630/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fix |date=21 January 2014 }} at Merriam-Webster.com</ref> In male horses, castrating is referred to as [[gelding]]. An animal that has not been neutered is sometimes referred to as '''entire''' or '''intact'''. Often the term ''neuter[ing]'' is used to specifically mean castration, e.g. in phrases like "spay and neuter".

Neutering is the most common method for animal [[Sterilization (medicine)|sterilization]]. [[humane society|Humane societies]], [[animal shelter]]s, and [[rescue group]]s urge pet owners to have their pets neutered to prevent the births of unwanted [[Litter (zoology)|litters]], which contribute to the [[Overpopulation of domestic pets|overpopulation of unwanted animals in the rescue system]]. Many countries require that all adopted cats and dogs be sterilized before going to their new homes.