The Lumberjack

Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Stephanie Haller

Cute puppies and kitties don't understand that they have to die because there are too many of them, but that can be remedied by a simple trip to the vet with the animals we have now. A day in which pet owners all over the country will rejoice in the spaying and neutering of their pets happened this month. Spay Day USA took place February 26, but activities encouraging the spaying and neutering of pets take place all month long.

In honor of this day, the Sequoia Humane Society teamed up with the Companion Animal Foundation located in Sunny Brae, Calif., to offer a month-long special with reduced prices on certain spayings and neuterings.

The director of the Companion Animal Foundation, Kim Class, said they have had a lot of people take advantage of their special. "We have beefed it up this month," Class said. So far, they have spayed and neutered over 2,300 pets. The shelter realizes that spaying and neutering pets is an important cause and aside from February's month-long 'Beat the Heat' special, they always offer reduced-price procedures in order to better serve low-income families.

Spaying and neutering your pets can be healthy for them and you for a number of reasons. It helps dogs and cats live longer and healthier lives. It also improves their temperaments, making them more affectionate and easier to get along with. Other reasons include reduced risk of different types of cancer and also overpopulation. An increase in animals comes with an increase in unwanted and stray animals.

Spaying and neutering lessens the burden on animal shelters and decreases euthanasia. According to the American Humane Association, an estimated 9.6 million animals are euthanized in the United States every year.

Cynthia Ryan is the executive director of the Sequoia Humane Society. "Spaying and neutering protects pet health, improves pet behavior, and lessens the burden on animal shelters and taxpayers," Ryan said.

Spay Day began 13 years ago with a nonprofit organization called the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and has helped millions of pets. Actress Doris Day began a full-time career working with animals in 1998. The organization will help other nonprofit organizations and public service projects that promote animal welfare and who need help in their work caring for animals. It will not help organizations whose main objectives are passing legislation, but rather help groups and even individuals with goals focused on helping and saving animals.

The Doris Day Animal League, the sister organization to the Doris Day Animal Foundation, focuses on the political end of the struggle. It keeps the public updated and informed on current legislation, campaigns going on and how they can help.

When Day was in a car accident as a young woman, her dog Tiny was her constant companion and inspired her to begin her fight for animal welfare. In 2004, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her fight for animal welfare.

Other local shelters and animal clinics will also have discounts in honor of Spay Day. Carol Aubin is a staff member at the Sunny Brae Animal Clinic. "A day that encourages pet owners to be responsible is always great," Aubin said. "If people are going to have pets they need to be responsible."

Having your pet spayed or neutered prevents unplanned litters, and the neglect of those fuzzy and cuddly creatures we call man's best friends.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools