1. Animals must be properly prepped and positioned
2. Age and species will determine placement of initial incision
3. Remove subcutaneous fat and visualize the abdominal midline
4. Make your incisions as small as possible to do a good job
5. You must rupture the suspensory ligament of the ovaries
6. You must have adequate surgical packs with a spay hook (snook hook)
7. Keeping materials as sterile and sanitary as possible is mandatory
8. Always use a monofilament absorbable suture or stainless steal
9. Always close abdominal wall with a simple interrupted or cruciate pattern
10. Minimize the amount of suture placed in SQ and skin
11. You should crush tissue prior to ligating, unless very friable
12. You must tie good surgical knots and keep a set surgical technique
13. Use proper size suture for the size of the animal undergoing surgery
14. Bladders of surgical candidates should be emptied prior to surgery
15. A slight tilt of table with the animal's head lower can help make finding the uterus easier
16. All major vessels should be double ligated if any doubt exists at all
17. You need a safe, efficient anesthetic protocol
18. You need 2 surgical tables and 2 support staff per verterianrian
19. Must have adequate space for holding and recovery
20. All surgeons should strive to be able to tell the difference between uterine, omental and bladder fat
21. All surgeons should be able to locate the uterus by feeling through an incision just large enough to place an index finger.

Above All Else: Do No Harm