Our Approach to Reproductive Health & Medical Decision-Making

At Fat Cow Foundation, we believe in individualized, practical care for every animal.
We do not follow blanket policies about spay/neuter or vaccination.
We make decisions based on:

The animal’s health

Their working purpose

Their behavior

Their environment

Their long-term needs

Veterinary guidance

And most importantly:

We respect the owner’s right to choose.

We understand that medical decisions, especially reproductive procedures and vaccinations, can impact an animal’s long-term well-being.

Because of this, we never alter or vaccinate animals automatically.

OUR SPAY/NEUTER PHILOSOPHY

We only spay/neuter when it is clearly necessary for:

✔ Medical Reasons

(Health concerns, reproductive complications, emergencies)

✔ Safety or Behavioral Stability

(If an intact status creates unsafe or unmanageable behavior)

✔ Placement Requirements

(If the adopter’s home cannot safely manage an intact animal)

Outside of these cases, animals remain intact.

This is particularly true for:

Livestock guardian dogs

Herding dogs

Hounds

Working dogs

Ranch animals

Livestock

For many animals, remaining intact supports healthier development, better structure, improved working ability, and long-term stability.

OUR VACCINATION PHILOSOPHY — OWNER CHOICE MATTERS

We recognize that vaccines can cause health issues in certain animals, especially:

Working breeds

High-drive genetics

Immunocompromised animals

Animals with prior adverse reactions

Because of this, our policy is:

We do not mandate vaccinations unless medically necessary.

When appropriate, we allow adopters to choose their own vaccination schedule.

If an animal does require a vaccine for safety, health, or legal reasons, we disclose that openly.

Otherwise, you decide in partnership with your veterinarian.