Spay and Neuter policy questions

[Daniel Gray]

I am a veterinarian and a very new landlord (6mo).  I see policies of requirements of spaying and neutering dogs and cats.  People are under the impression that this procedure will "calm down animals" or make them less   _____fill in the blank_____  The evidence is thin but that's not my question.  I've seen clients where their landlords require guinea pigs and hamsters and birds to be spayed.  I don't get it?  Am I missing something?  Or is this a blanket policy that covers all animals?  I know I'm asking you to guess what others are thinking but if you have these clauses... why?

Thanks!

[Gail K.]

Having had birds (finches, canaries, parrots) I truly wasn't aware that birds could even be spayed!

Perhaps the issue with hamsters/guinea pigs are concerns about large numbers of litters or two become.....six...eight...whatever?

We don't have that clause in our lease but working in rescue (retired racing greyhounds and now cats) I certainly can see the value of spaying and neutering.   As a landlord I would be concerned about accepting an intact male cat over the concern of spraying; the only hope of removing this odor indoors often involves removing drywall AND floors down to the subfloor.

I'm about to include a clause that any dog or cat we accept in our rentals must also be on a monthly flea preventive program.   I'm tired of battling fleas for months after tenants with pets vacate a rental house.

Gail