World Spay Day
World Spay Day is observed every year on the last Tuesday of February. That means in 2026, World Spay Day falls on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
World Spay Day is a global awareness day that spotlights spaying and neutering as a humane way to reduce the number of unwanted litters and, ultimately, to reduce suffering for dogs, cats, and community animals who might otherwise end up hungry on the streets or overcrowding shelters.
Important Note
Do you actually know what is the difference between spaying and neutering? Spaying is sterilizing a female by removing her ovaries (and usually uterus), while neutering is sterilizing a male by removing his testicles.
The Origin Story: How World Spay Day Began
World Spay Day started in the U.S. as Spay Day USA, created in 1995 by Doris Day, an actress and animal advocate and the Doris Day Animal League to draw attention to pet overpopulation and promote spay/neuter access.
After the Doris Day Animal League merged with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) later, the campaign continued and expanded. HSUS later shifted the name to World Spay Day to reflect the global scale of the issue.
How to Observe World Spay Day
Observing World Spay Day doesn’t have to be dramatic or complicated like you don't need to become vet in a day! The spirit of the day is simply about awareness and small responsible actions.
For Pet Parents
For many pet parents, it can start with something as basic as having a proper conversation with a veterinarian about when spaying or neutering is right for their pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle. Even scheduling a consultation or gathering information counts, because the biggest barrier is often hesitation, not unwillingness.
Help with Community Animal Programs
You can also use the day to help beyond your own home. Sharing details of low-cost clinics, rescue organizations, or community animal programs can genuinely help someone who wants to act but doesn’t know where to begin.
Many areas run spay-neuter drives or community cat/ dog programs, and spreading that information often leads to real impact. Supporting shelters whether through donations, volunteering, or simply amplifying their campaigns also contributes to reducing unwanted litters.
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