Question 1

​Shouldn't a female cat/dog have a litter before being spayed?

Anna Tilley · Accepted Answer

Allowing a female cat or dog to produce a litter does not have any benefits to the animal. Animals who go through heat cycles and pregnancy are at higher risk for uterine and mammary problems, including mammary cancer, which can be fatal. There are health risks to the mother during the pregnancy and when giving birth. Proper pre-natal care, emergency care for birth complications, and proper newborn care are expensive and time-consuming. Learn more about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet. A happy smiling dog sitting outside looking up with tongue out

A happy smiling dog sitting outside looking up with tongue out

Question 2

​What does it cost to spay/neuter my cat/dog/pet?

Anna Tilley · Accepted Answer

If you are adopting your cat, dog or rabbit from the BC SPCA, spay/neuter is included in the adoption fee. For other animals, the cost of spaying or neutering your pet depends on many factors and will vary according to each pet's circumstances and needs. For example, a large dog will cost more than a small dog. If your pet is overweight or in heat this can also add to the cost. Contact your veterinarian to get a more accurate idea of the costs involved for your pet. Curious ginger kitten looking down playfully

Curious ginger kitten looking down playfully

The cost of spaying/neutering is small when compared to other costs of pet care, such as what you will spend on food for your pet over their lifetime. Consider the possible costs if you do not spay or neuter. If your pet should wander off in search of a mate, you may be faced with paying fines and impoundment fees. You may also be faced with the additional costs of caring for puppies or kittens for whom finding homes may be difficult. Worse yet, think of the costs should your pet be injured while roaming for a mate. Spaying or neutering is a one-time investment with life-long health and welfare benefits for your companion. If you require financial assistance, learn about low-cost spay/neuter programs in B.C.

Question 3

Is tail docking, debarking or ear cropping of dogs legal in B.C.?

Jill Spacey · Accepted Answer

In 2016, the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC) voted to prohibit their membership from cropping ears or docking tails of dogs for cosmetic purposes. A similar vote took place in 2023 to ban the practice of devocalization (“debarking”) in dogs.

Ear cropping: the removal of part or all of a dog’s ear
Tail docking: the removal of part or all of a dog’s tail
Devocalization: the partial or full removal of a dog’s vocal cords to reduce or prevent the volume, pitch or intensity of their bark

In accordance with section 231 of the CVBC Ethics and Standards (PDF), these procedures may only be done to treat injury or disease. As such, if a veterinarian performed these procedures for reasons other than treatment, they would be in breach of their ethics and standards and also potentially in breach of the Criminal Code and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (the “PCA Act”). Dobberman with cropped ears and docked tail

Dobberman with cropped ears and docked tail

The BC SPCA’s position on these procedures

It is the position of the BC SPCA that unless medically required, the cosmetic docking of tails or cropping of ears without the use of anesthetics or analgesia causes pain and suffering as reported by both the CVBC and CVMA. We also believe that devocalization deprives dogs of an essential form of communication. Not only can this cause them significant stress, but devocalization fails to address the underlying reasons why dogs bark in the first place. Read more about our position on cosmetic and other non-therapeutic alterations. Complaints about tail docking, ear cropping and devocalization may be investigated and, provided they meet the charge approval standard as set out by the Crown, recommendations for charges pursuant to either the Criminal Code of Canada or the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be forwarded to Crown Counsel.

The impacts of these procedures on dogs

Tail docking, ear cropping and devocalization cause unnecessary pain and suffering to a dog when the procedures are not medically necessary to treat injury or disease. Studies have demonstrated that dogs who have had their tails docked display signs of chronic pain and heightened pain sensitivity. Dogs who have been debarked are at risk of complications, including:

Short-term: bleeding, swelling, infection, coughing and gagging
Long-term: chronic coughing or gagging, aspiration pneumonia, and airway narrowing and scarring, which can lead to noisy breathing, respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, heat intolerance and collapse

Tails, ears and vocalizations also play a significant role in communication for canines, both with other dogs and to humans. Docked tails have been shown to result in more frequent aggressive encounters with other dogs. Tail and ear activity are closely linked with other dog behaviours and, together with vocalizations, allow dogs to signal both negative and positive emotions, moods and intentions.

Animal Helpline: 1-855-622-7722

Animal Helpline:

1-855-622-7722

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