Surgical sterilization of dogs and cats in the municipality of Mãe do Rio, Pará: a public health issue

The overpopulation of dogs and cats is a global concern that involves animal welfare and public health, with awareness and respect for the care of companion animals, as well as surgical intervention, being important for controlling the reproduction of dogs and cats. This study aimed to report the results obtained by the neutering campaign for dogs and cats in the city of Mãe do Rio, in the state of Pará. During the neutering campaign, a socioeconomic questionnaire was administered to the owners of the animals, and a statistical analysis of the number of animals sterilized in the campaign was performed. In total, 132 animals, including males and females, underwent the procedure, 79 cats and 53 dogs. This initiative prevented the birth of 1.266 puppies, representing a 6% decrease in the canine population and 29% in the feline population. In addition, the most prevalent and common reproductive pathologies among female cats were pyometra and mammary hyperplasia. Based on the questionnaires, 67% of the animals had received the rabies vaccine and 33% had not; 61% reported that they administered deworming medication to their animals, while 38% did not; and 67% administered contraceptives to females. Thus, the continuity of the dog and cat population control program in Mãe do Rio, Pará, is of great importance to the municipality and should certainly reduce not only the population of these animals, but also the problems involving public health, such as the spread of zoonoses that can be harmful to the health of the human population.