VHS Celebrates Spay Day USA

News Release: From: Vanderburgh County Humane Society VHS CELEBRATES SPAY DAY USA BECAUSE “IT’S NOT JUST RABBITS WHO MULTIPLY LIKE RABBITS” (Evansville, IN – February 22, 2008) It’s a very saddening and startling statistic. Each year, more than three million animals are euthanized in shelters across the nation. Are these unhealthy, uncontrollable animals that would not have a chance at being adopting into a caring, forever home? Wouldn’t it be an easier statistic to swallow if that was the case? Unfortunately, the thousands of animals being euthanized in our nation’s shelters are healthy, happy pets who have fallen victim to one of the nation’s biggest animal welfare issues; animal overpopulation. Every February, the Humane Society of the United States sets aside one day as Spay Day USA to promote the importance of spaying and neutering. Shelters and veterinarians across the country take part in this life saving day, many times offering spay/neuter surgeries at a reduced fee or offering other incentives. The VHS will be doing our part on Wednesday, February 27, when we reach out to our Jacobsville neighbors and offer cat spays and neuters at the VHS clinic at no cost to residents of the Jacobsville neighborhood. Any Jacobsville neighborhood resident wishing to take part in this special offer must call the VHS to schedule an appointment at (812) 426-2563, Monday thru Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The number one reason for surrender at the Vanderburgh Humane Society is unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. More often than not, they are the offspring of cherished family pets that got out just that one time. Or maybe it was an intentional litter of purebreds, but efforts to find enough good homes failed. While they may be cute and cuddly, the unfortunate truth remains. There simply are not enough loving homes for all them, and the disturbing result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized. Think you are not contributing to the problem if you find homes for all of the puppies or kittens in the litter? That only means that there are fewer available homes for the thousands of animals sitting in our shelters. For every one of these animals that you never wanted in the first place that you find a home for, that’s one animal in a shelter that has to be euthanized. On the bright side, there is a solution. Spaying and neutering your animals prevent these unwanted litters from every being born! Spaying and neutering is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for animals. If this isn’t reason enough to have this important surgery, maybe some of these facts are: • Your spayed/neutered pet may live a happier and longer life! Spaying and neutering helps prevent various types of reproductive cancers in both males and females. Also, their risk of injury from traffic and fights with other animals is lowered because they will be less likely to roam for a mate. (more) • Spaying/Neutering can mean a better-behaved pet! Neutered males focus their attention on their human families, because they don’t have other things on their mind, such as finding a mate. Also, neutering your male may prevent him from marking his territory by urinating in your house and also from mounting furniture and the unsuspecting visitor! Your female will not go through those pesky heat cycles which cause her to yowl loudly at all hours, and sometimes cause her to urinate all over your house. • Spaying/Neutering benefits your pet, you, and your community! Fewer unwanted animals means fewer animals entering shelters, roaming our streets, getting into trash bins, defecating in neighborhood yards, and the list goes on and on!