Humane Society: National Spay Day

The Humane Society of the United States is holding its 13^th annual Spay Day USA on February 27^th, 2007.

The Humane Society of the United States is partnering with communities and local groups and organizations to get pets spayed and neutered on Spay Day USA. Last year alone there were roughly, 29,000 animals spayed and neutered on Spay Day USA.

Spaying and neutering our furry friends is something everyone and anyone can get involved in. This simple effective procedure will help drop the number of unwanted pets, not just for today, but for generations to come.

Sadly, each year, millions of cats and dogs are surrendered to the estimated, 4-6 thousand animal shelters, we have in the United States; or many of our beloved friends are simply abandoned in homes, the streets, or dropped off in rural countryside's. They are just left to fend for themselves and many eventual die, from starvation, diseases, or worse they become victims of a vehicle and hit on the road ways. This is emotional and distressing to the driver who hits this once beloved pet.

Some known facts:

Each year, there are thousands of puppies and kittens born in the US, every hour; and sadly, many of them never find stable loving homes. Fertile cats can have 3 litters a year with an estimate of 3-6 kittens born with each litter. If you break this down, within one year, one cat can have 9-18 offspring. Furthermore, fertile dogs can have 2 litters a year with an estimate of 5-10 puppies born within each litter. So within that one year, one dog can have 10-20 offspring. These are large numbers when you stop and think about how many cats and dogs we have just in the US.

Every year there is an estimated, 6-8 million cats and dogs, entering the doors of animal shelters. Of this estimate only half of these animals, 3-4 million, are adopted into loving lifelong homes; while the other 3-4 million are humanely euthanized in the shelters. Some of these animals that are euthanized can not be domesticated or they were victims of abuse, deeming them unstable to be placed within a home.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates 25% of the dogs entering the shelter are pure breeds! This is an astounding percentage considering these dogs are sold for profit. Sometimes these pets are sold to someone who is uneducated about specific characteristics and behaviors and the dogs simply end up victims of neglect or turned over to the shelter.

The number of pets reclaimed by owners is sad. An estimated 2-5% of cats and only 30% of dogs are reclaimed by their owner; that's approximately 600,000 to 750,000 pets reclaimed and reunited with their families each year. The ones that go unclaimed are put up for adoption or face the fate of being euthanized. These were once loved pets that belong to someone, who no longer cared or could no longer care for them.

Pets that are altered are as healthier and they make better companions because they are not "out on the prowl" by following their natural instincts to breed. Therefore, they are less likely to runaway and become lost or tore up from fights between animals. They generally have better temperaments and are less likely to runaway or become lost. Altered pets, also, no longer face the fate of some very common cancers, which means, less bills and care in their future.

So get involved on Spay Day USA. If you do not already have your pets altered, then now is the time to follow through. If your pets are already altered, then congratulations for taking those steps to help prevent the unwanted pet population problem.

There are other ways you can help on Spay Day USA. You could help someone who is homebound by offering to take their pets in for them. Or you can tell your friends, neighbors and coworkers about Spay Day. The more pets we get altered today will help cut the numbers of pet overpopulation. This will be a beautiful day when pets no longer have to face an uncertain future.

Remember it doesn't just have to be on Spa Day USA, to spay or neuter our furry friends. You can have this done anytime of year. Through out the year your local Humane Society shelter may offer low cost spay or neuter programs. They may also know of veterinary clinics that may offer low cost alterations. They may also offer low cost shots to protect your pet against harmful and sometimes fatal diseases.

Here's to loving our furry companion friends! Have your pet altered today for a healthier tomorrow.