Web Image: Dr with BostonSpay or Neuter your Boston!

The Arizona Boston Terrier Rescue recommends that you spay or neuter your Boston unless you are knowledgeable about breeding and plan to breed for purposes of improving the Boston Terrier breed. We have used the Spay & Neuter Clinics located around the Phoenix metropolitan area for low-cost sterilization services with very good results. In most cases, the cost to sterilize a Boston is $60-70. These clinics also provide low-cost dental cleanings and vaccinations. There are other low-cost sterilization services available throughout the Valley--look in the phone book or search the Web for information.

Arizona Spay and Neuter Clinic 6835 E. Thomas Rd., 480-874-3647

Spay Neuter Clinic - Locations throughout the valley

AZPaws - 20635 N Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix 602-795-PAWS (7297)

There are many resources on the Web that explain the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. See, for example, Pets911 or the Humane Society web pages for more information. In our rescue we see the direct results of the decision not to sterilize a Boston:

  • Unsterilized dogs are most likely to run away from home. Almost every stray male Boston turned in to us or that we see in the animal control shelters is intact. Almost every stray female is in heat. We also hear from heartbroken families whose intact Bostons have run away from home, often never seen again. You are most likely to lose your Boston if he or she hasn't been sterilized.
  • Most Bostons surrendered to us for behavior problems are unsterilized males. Owners who choose not to neuter a male Boston are often surprised to learn that they exhibit male behaviors like marking, mounting, and increased aggression, so they choose to get rid of the dog. Neutering your Boston will prevent these behaviors from starting in most cases.
  • Families often contact us for help after they breed a litter and a deformed puppy is born. These well-intentioned families, whose goal is usually to create a Boston just like a loved pet, are most often not financially or emotionally prepared to deal with the consequences. Breeding even one litter can be a heartbreaking experience for those who don't know what they're doing.
  • In Maricopa County alone, about 40,000 dogs are put to death each year, including Bostons and Boston mixes. That's more than 100 dogs killed each day because no one wants them. There are just more dogs than there are adopters. You might think you know all of the puppies from your litter will have good homes, but are you thinking of the generations of puppies that will be created by them and their offspring? A lot of those dogs may end up counted in a future year's 40,000 unwanted dogs. Most of us wouldn't want to bear that responsibility if we thought about it in advance.

Please spay or neuter your pets!