Spay/Neuter Policy
9-Month Neuter Policy
WOOF requires all dog guests over 9 months old to be spayed or neutered. We enforce this policy for the following reasons:
- Intact males and females intermingling pose a risk of unwanted pregnancy.
- Intact dogs (both males and females) can disrupt a peaceful play environment, due to aggressive play, humping, dominant behavior or being targeted by other dogs who smell their hormones, feel threatened and lash out.
- Intact females can cause fighting among competitive suitors.
Puppies Awaiting Spaying or Neutering
What if I have a puppy who is waiting to be spayed or neutered for health reasons?
WOOF understands this philosophy and allows intact puppies under 9 months old to come to WOOF under the following conditions:
- They are not excessively humping
- They are not displaying dominant behaviors (mounting, neck biting, etc.)
- They are not inspiring dominant behaviors from other dogs due to their intact status
- They are not creating an unsafe play environment
- Their presence is not influencing the overall peacefulness of the group
If you have a puppy who is intact, please also be aware that WOOF might have to assign your pup in an alternate play yard (in the boarding building instead of the daycare building). We do this in the event an intact male puppy and intact female puppy come to play in the daycare on the same day. Although mating among puppies is unlikely, it is possible! WOOF will allow intact males and females under 6 months old to play together, but once they are over 6 months of age, we separate the boys from the girls – that’s when most vets advise that sexual maturity begins.
Please also be aware that WOOF may not be able to accommodate all boarding requests for intact puppies due to space limitations on busy holidays or during the summer (July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s).
If you don’t plan on spaying or neutering your dog but you still would like the benefits of daycare play, please be aware that the majority of daycare facilities don’t allow adult intact dogs in their playgroups for the reasons listed above.
Want more details about spaying and neutering and socializing your puppy? Read our blog, “Everything you wanted to know about spaying and neutering”.