FAQ

ACC&D is an animal welfare organization and catalyst for collaboration to advance non-surgical contraceptive options for cats and dogs. While we steadfastly support traditional spaying and neutering for reproductive control and certain health and behavioral factors, we also recognize that traditional surgery does not have the capacity to reach all animals. Expanding options for fertility control will have a significant impact on reducing the millions of homeless cats and dogs destroyed in shelters each year; humanely controlling populations of feral cat and dog populations living without human care; and reaching pet dogs and cats who, for various reasons, are not candidates for surgical sterilization. In addition, it will provide options to pet owners to make the right choice for their pet. We work to expedite the successful introduction of methods to non-surgically sterilize dogs and cats through facilitating research; providing scientifically sound and animal welfare-oriented resources to stakeholders in animal welfare, animal health, and public health; and supporting the appropriate distribution and promotion of products suitable for the humane control of cat and dog populations.

Surgical spaying and neutering require technical expertise, equipment, time, recovery space, and significant financial investment on the part of either pet owners or government/non-profit organizations that may subsidize the procedures. In many parts of the world, including parts of the U.S., veterinarians are not available in adequate numbers and/or trained to surgically sterilize all animals in need. Some owners and caretakers resist surgical sterilization for social, cultural, or health reasons. And while spaying and neutering are safe and effective procedures, they do present some risk of complication and carry both benefits and risks in terms of various health and behavioral effects. These are but some of the reasons we seek to expand options for dog and cat fertility control. Our intent is not to replace spay/neuter, but to increase the “tools” available to veterinarians, pet population control programs, and pet owners to achieve their goals, extend reach, and conserve resources.

If “overpopulation” is defined as more animals than humans find convenient, most of the world has overpopulation. Feral (unsocialized to humans), stray, or homeless cats and dogs are present to a greater or lesser degree in every country on earth. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that millions of dogs and cats die in animal shelters every year. It is estimated that there are tens of millions of feral cats in the U.S., while feral dogs are a rare phenomenon. In countries such as India, however, that ratio is reversed. Even in communities where residents do not consider the number of animals to be “overpopulation,” there can still be clear preferences about which animals’ offspring are desired and which are not.

There is worldwide interest! ACC&D’s e-book on this topic was downloaded by individuals from 71 countries and 45 states in the first fifteen months alone. ACC&D’s 6th International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods of Pet Population Control, held in 2018, drew approximately 150 delegates from 13 countries spanning five continents. Researchers, academics, veterinarians, veterinary students, animal welfare professionals, public health experts, wildlife biologists, foundation representatives, and government officials were all in attendance. The interdisciplinary nature of the Symposium reflects the interdisciplinary nature of those working on this issue.

ACC&D’s Council of Stakeholders are committed to advancing and monitoring this emerging field; their organizations provide major operational support. Members include the largest and most visionary animal welfare organizations in the United States, and perhaps the world. While scientists at universities and animal health companies around the world are also working in this field, one of the greatest infusions of funds came in 2008 when the Found Animals Foundation announced the Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology. The Michelson Prize offers $25 million to the first entity to provide a single-dose sterilant for male and female cats and dogs. The Michelson Grants program has committed up to $50 million to support promising research in this area. To date, the program has provided nearly $15 million in financial support to approximately 40 projects across the globe. Funded projects are studying diverse approaches to suppress fertility in cats and dogs without surgery. To read about what has been learned and achieved to date with these funds click here. Last but certainly not least, several veterinarians and animal welfare organizations have trialed incorporating non-surgical population control methods into their practices and programs.

Efforts to control reproductive functions in pets without surgery began around 1960, when oral progestin contraceptives (“the pill”) became widely available for women. Since then, scientists in numerous countries have taken varying approaches to develop effective, permanent contraceptives for cats and dogs. In the past 15 years, the pace of work in this field has taken a leap forward with the approval and successful introduction of Suprelorin (contraceptive implant) in Australia, the European Union, and New Zealand; the launch of the Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology; and approval of Zeuterin/EsterilSol for male dogs in the United States and other countries.

Thorough investigation and approval of products is time-consuming and expensive, and it requires substantial investment from scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and investors alike. Approved products providing sterilization or long-term (1+ years) contraception in cats and/or dogs include: Suprelorin, a contraceptive implant for male dogs lasting a minimum of 6 or 12 months (dose-dependent) approved in numerous countries; Infertile, a permanent non-surgical sterilant for male dogs approved in Brazil; and Zeuterin, a non-surgical sterilant for male dogs approved in the U.S., Mexico, Bolivia, Panama, and Colombia (please note that Ark Sciences, which produces Zeuterin, is no longer selling the product).

Progestin contraceptives, like megestrol acetate (MA), can be administered to provide temporary fertility control for female dogs and cats. MA has been approved in multiple countries under several brand names and is available extra-label in the U.S. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACC&D encourages greater consideration of short-term, low-dose MA as a tool for preventing cat pregnancies while appointments for spay surgeries are delayed.

In addition, a compounded sterilant consisting of calcium chloride dihydrate and ethyl alcohol is being used on a very limited scale and with limited peer-reviewed safety and efficacy data in dogs and cats.

To learn more about any of these products, visit our Products page.

Please see our position statement regarding use of live animals to develop non-surgical contraceptives.

Surgical sterilization (spay/neuter) is effective and widely available in many parts of the world. The best contribution the public can make to prevent unwanted litters is to sterilize cats and dogs—owned, stray, and feral.

Cats and dogs can become pregnant far earlier than most people realize. Never allow “just one litter.” Early age spay/neuter (two months or two pounds) is safe and effective, and has been endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association for more than 20 years.

Pet owners in the U.S. and some other countries have some non-surgical alternatives now (see Products) to consider as well. We hope this website helps you explore those options and make decisions related to what makes sense for your dog or cat.

Contact your veterinarian for more information, or check out SpayUSA, the ASPCA, or PetSmart Charities for information on spay/neuter programs and assistance in the United States.

We encourage you to learn more about our current and future work on this website. We spearhead projects that will help these new sterilants or long-term contraceptives be used more effectively, especially when managing free-roaming cats and community dogs.

One of our favorite questions! ACC&D is a charitable organization formed to expedite the development and introduction of safe and effective non-surgical contraceptives, but we need your help! Please visit Support Us to find out how you can help make this dream a reality.