Question #1: What is the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs?
Question #2: Where is companion animal overpopulation a problem?
Question #3: Who is working on this issue and what approaches are they taking?
Question #4: How long has research on non-surgical sterilization been going on?
Question #5: Are some products already available?
Question #6: Are these products safe?
Question #7: Will I be able to sterilize my pet at home?
Question #8: Why non-surgical sterilization instead of spay/neuter?
Question #9: Will animal testing be required to develop non-surgical contraceptives?
Question #10: What can people do to reduce companion animal overpopulation today?
Question #11: What does ACC&D plan for the future?
Question #12: How can I help ACC&D reach its goals?
More Q&A on non-surgical sterilization
Question #1: What is the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs?
Answer: ACC&D is a catalyst for collaboration to speed discovery of non-surgical contraceptives for cats and dogs which will have a significant impact on reducing the millions of excess cats and dogs destroyed in shelters each year, as well as feral cat and dog populations living without human care. ACC&D's mission is to expedite the successful introduction of methods to non-surgically sterilize dogs and cats through facilitating research, developing technologies, and supporting the appropriate distribution and promotion of products suitable for the humane control of cat and dog populations.
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Question #2: Where is companion animal overpopulation a problem?
Answer: 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 an estimated 4 million 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.
Question #3: Who is working on this issue and what approaches are they taking?
Answer: At ACC&D’s Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods for Pet Population Control in Alexandria, Virginia, more than 120 representatives from universities, animal welfare organizations, foundations, companies, and government agencies from 11 countries gathered to share information and plan for the future. Read highlights and proceedings of the symposium by clicking here.
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Question #4: How long has research on non-surgical sterilization been going on?
Answer: Efforts to control reproductive functions in pets non-surgically began around 1960, when oral 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. A summary of past research efforts can be found in the attached document.
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Question #5: Are some products already available?
Answer: Thorough investigation and approval of products is time-consuming and expensive, and requires substantial investment not only from scientists, but also from pharmaceutical companies and investors. Three products have been approved: Neutersol in the U.S., Suprelorin in Australia and New Zealand, and Gonazon in the European Union. Each product has attractive features as well as limitations, and no product is available yet for cats.To read news and status of current approaches, click here.
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Question #6: Are these products safe?
Answer: For any product to receive regulatory approval, it must meet criteria for safety and efficacy. No medical intervention is entirely free of risks or side effects. For a product to meet our needs for population control, it must have the same or less risk than surgical sterilization. By the time any individual product is introduced to the market, specific safety data is available for that product.
Question #7: Will I be able to sterilize my pet at home?
Question #8: Why non-surgical sterilization instead of spay/neuter?
Answer: Surgical sterilization (spay/neuter) requires technical expertise, equipment, and time, and can only be provided by a licensed veterinarian. In many parts of the world, including parts of the U.S., veterinarians are not available for widespread, low-cost surgery. In addition, dogs and cats need time and a place to recover from surgery, which can present a challenge.
The ideal contraceptive product would rapidly induce permanent sterilization, eliminate fertility and breeding behavior, and provide the same health benefits as spay/neuter while requiring only a single dose. The ideal product would be effective in dogs and cats of both sexes and all ages, and would be safe and easy to administer. At this time, no product fulfills all of these criteria, although products are under development.
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Question #9: Will animal testing be required to develop non-surgical contraceptives?
Answer: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving or denying approval for contraceptives for cats and dogs. The FDA requires minimum pre-approval use to determine safety and efficacy. In addition, limited testing may be involved in the earlier research and development stages.
ACC&D, in general, embraces the basic principles of Reduce, Refine and Replace in regard to animal use for testing. In any studies that ACC&D recommends or funds where use of animals is unavoidable, we will seek to support only the best practices. To read our full position statement on animal testing, please click here.
Question #10: What can people do to reduce companion animal overpopulation today?
Answer: Surgical sterilization (spay/neuter) is completely effective and widely available in most areas of the U.S. The best contribution the public can make is to spay/neuter all 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.
Contact your veterinarian or local humane organization to find out about your local spay/neuter options or visit www.pets911.com to find a local spay/neuter program.
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Question #11: What does ACC&D plan for the future?
Answer: You can learn more about our work by visiting the About page on this site. You're also always welcome to contact us with questions or comments.
Please join our email list for free email updates on ACC&D and progress in non-surgical contraception. (We will not share your personal information with third parties.) Use the box on the right side of this page to subscribe.
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Question #12: How can I help ACC&D reach its goals?
Answer: One of our favorite questions! ACC&D was formed to expedite development and introduction of safe, effective non-surgical contraceptives. But we need your help! Please visit our Get Involved page to find out how you can help make this dream a reality.
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More Q&A on Non-Surgical Sterilization and ACC&D is available on the Best Friends Animal Society Network.
