Just finished reading Abbate’s 2020 essay, “Animal Rights and the Duty to Harm: When to be a Harm Causing Deontologist, and since I’ve also been thinking a lot about the de-sexing of animals (dogs and cats in specific; humans and all other animals in general), I read Abbate’s essay with that subject on my mind.

Anyways, I’m really not certain where I land on this subject, despite having read a number of arguments from all sides. I’m interested in hearing where members of this community stand (I’m aware that many, if not most, vegans are advocates for the sterilization of NHA), especially those members who have relationships with companion animals for which de-sexing is a common, socially acceptable and/or recommended practice.

Also, I know this can be a contentious subject, so I feel I should say I am approaching this in good faith, and I ask that anyone who contributes to this conversation does the same. I have no agenda other than genuinely trying to learn. If there is a better community for this question, I will gladly ask there. Thanks!