World Spay Day 2014

Owning a dog or cat brings joy and excitement to both the owner and pet’s lives every day they spend together.  Caring for a furry companion not only requires a pet owner to give the pet exercise, manage their diet and provide toys. A responsible pet owner understands the important role spaying or neutering plays in controlling the pet population and improving the lives of all animals.

The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International is proud to sponsor the 20th annual World Spay Day on February 25, 2014.  The mission of World Spay Day is to raise awareness of spay/neutering with the goal of ending euthanasia and suffering of homeless pets. Communities around the country will be hosting events throughout the month of February that raise awareness to the issue by raising money, distributing information and even offering spay/neuter surgeries or vouchers.

Every year between 6 and 8 million dogs and cats are brought to overcrowded animal shelters around the country with the hope of finding a loving home. Unfortunately only half of these pets will be adopted leaving millions of animals to be euthanized. World Spay Day events provide a platform to inform owners of the benefits and importance of this pet birth control procedure.

Spay/Neuter Facts:

• The procedure is the only 100% effective way to prevent your pet from getting pregnant
• Decreases the number of potential homeless pets that are euthanized each year in animal shelters
• Surgical procedures are performed by licensed veterinarians with most pets returning home the same day
• Shelters and local SPCAs often provide low cost procedures for pet owner’s not able to afford the surgery
• Over half of all pets are from unplanned litters and have trouble finding long term homes
• Spaying/neutering may eliminate behaviors like roaming, spraying and fighting

Pet Health Market’s hope for World Spay Day is that owners understand spaying/neutering is a safe and easy way to control the pet population and improves the lives of pets in need of a home. Want to get involved in your community? Check out the US event locator or help internationally.