The procedure
Spaying a female cat involves removing the entire uterus and both ovaries. It's usually performed via an incision in the belly of the cat. Neutering of a male cat involves removing both testicles. The majority of the vets recommend that these procedures be done when the cat is about six months of age.

I read a wonderful story by A. Drnek. Please take a minute to read it.

A while ago I was involved in creating a website for my local Humane Society. I went in for a meeting and when it was over I decided to take a peek at the animals. I'm not quite sure why I did that..it breaks my heart to see them. I looked into these animals eyes and saw desperation...and sadness. They are such wonderful creatures, and yet they are destined to live out the rest of their lives in small cages...until they are put to death. They aren't able to understand the reasons why. They don't know why they're not wanted once they're no longer cute kittens (or puppies). They don't know why there are so many of them and so few families to adopt them. I wonder...what they would think if they knew that a simple procedure could save so many of them a lonely life and lonely death.