spay
Sterilize a pet
Spay is a veterinary procedure that removes the ovaries and usually the uterus of a female animal to prevent reproduction.
The verb is used almost exclusively for pets, especially cats and dogs: We had our cat spayed when she was six months old.
The procedure is the female equivalent of neutering, though neuter is sometimes used as an umbrella term for sterilizing animals of either sex.
Remove fertility surgically
- desexingSterilizing an animal surgically
- castrationExcision of reproductive glands
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
incision · suture · anesthesia · laparotomy · ligature · scalpel · recovery · postoperative
Remove fertility surgically
- fixingRestoring proper function
- alteringMaking changes to
- overpopulationUnsustainable density of inhabitants
- sheltersPlaces offering protection
adoptions · strays · feral · humane · microchipping · vaccinations · wellness · trap-neuter-return
Non-human health and treatment
- humaneMarked by kindness
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- rescueSave from harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
advocacy · animal rights · charitable · donation · volunteer · foster · sanctuary · outreach
Doctor for animals
- clinicOutpatient treatment facility
- pain managementReducing patient suffering medically
- discharge instructionsOrders upon leaving hospital
- follow-upSubsequent action on something
Preventing conception intentionally
- contraceptionPregnancy prevention measures
- population controlPolicies limiting demographic growth
neuter
Remove fertility surgically
- desexingSterilizing an animal surgically
- castrationExcision of reproductive glands
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
surgery · incision · suture · anesthesia · laparotomy · ligature · scalpel · recovery · postoperative · antiseptic
neuter
Remove fertility surgically
- fixingRestoring proper function
- alteringMaking changes to
- overpopulationUnsustainable density of inhabitants
shelters · adoptions · strays · feral · humane · microchipping · vaccinations · wellness · trap-neuter-return · puppy mills
animal welfare
Non-human health and treatment
- humaneMarked by kindness
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- rescueSave from harm
protection · advocacy · animal rights · charitable · donation · volunteer · foster · sanctuary · outreach · education
veterinarian
Doctor for animals
- clinicOutpatient treatment facility
- pain managementReducing patient suffering medically
- discharge instructionsOrders upon leaving hospital
follow-up · low-cost clinic · mobile clinic · humane society · ASPCA
birth control
Preventing conception intentionally
- contraceptionPregnancy prevention measures
- population controlPolicies limiting demographic growth
- animal shelteranimal shelter, shelter worker, shelter cat, animal control, humane society
- vet proceduresneuter, neutering, surgery, cesarean, c-section
- pet healthvet visit, checkup, checkups, vaccinations, rabies vaccination
- cat carescratching post, litter box, cat carrier, cat door, collar
- pet servicespet store, pet groomer, kennel, groomer, dog daycare
- vet clinicveterinarian, pet hospital, vet assistant, exam table, waiting rooms
spaybreed
Cultivated variety of animal
impregnate · fertilize · inseminate · mate · stud
- calls a spade a spadeUses direct, unvarnished language
- calling a spade a spadeStating things directly
- called a spade a spadeSaid truth without softening
- Kate Spade
- rubber spatulaFlexible kitchen mixing tool
- bucket and spadeSand-playing implements