Why World Spay Day Matters to IVO – and to All of Us
Every year on the last Tuesday of February, World Spay Day reminds us that one simple procedure can change everything — for an animal, a family, and an entire community.
For International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), this day highlights our focus on One Health in economically-disadvantaged communities, acknowledging the connection between animal health, human well-being, and the environment.
The benefits of spaying female animals are well-documented and far-reaching. On an individual level, spaying eliminates the risk of uterine infections and reduces the likelihood of cancers. It prevents the physical toll of repeated pregnancies and ends the hormonal cycles that can cause stress, aggression, and unsafe roaming behaviors.
But spaying is never just about one animal. It’s a community health intervention. Uncontrolled reproduction drives overpopulation, which in turn can strain local resources and increase the spread of diseases like rabies. In some communities where IVO works, free-roaming animals can pose real public health risks that touch every family.
"When we spay one animal, we're not just preventing one litter," says IVO Founder & CEO Dr. Eric Eisenman. “We’re interrupting a cycle that, if left unchecked, can affect the whole community.”
IVO builds lasting impact through local veterinary training, centered on high-quality spay and neuter instruction that ensures communities can sustain these services long after our teams go home. Spay programs are One Health in action because they protect animal, human, and community health all at the same time.
On World Spay Day, we're celebrating something bigger than a procedure. We're celebrating the ripple effect: one healthy animal, one safer family, one stronger community at a time.
Change starts with one click — make a difference today.
