Local Organizations Unite for Spay Day Effort
Spay Day USA 2000 is almost here! The national day will be held Tuesday,
February 29, to focus attention on animal overpopulation and encourage pet
owners to have their cat or dog spayed or neutered. Two local veterinary
surgeons and two veterinarians will be volunteering at the Inland Valley
Humane Society that day to perform the procedures for as many as 100 local
animals.
The Humane Society’s Spay Day activities reflect a community wide effort.
The veterinarians volunteering their time represent the College of
Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU),
Citrus Veterinary Clinic in La Verne and Cal Poly Pomona.
Lara Rasmussen, DVM, will be one of two WesternU representatives.
“”Spay Day USA provides the avenue for everyone to take responsibility for
their pets,”” she said. “”In our local community, an average of 43 dogs and
36 cats are killed each day simply because they exist, and they have no
home. Spaying and neutering is one effective way to address this dilemma,
and the procedures also have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer in
dogs.””
An estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each
year. According to a 1998 issue of USA Today (June 23, pg. 1), it costs
U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion annually to round up, house,
euthanize and dispose of homeless animals. The Inland Valley Humane
Society housed about 12,500 dogs and 10,500 cats in 1999.
As an extra incentive to its employees, WesternU has agreed to donate $10
to the Humane Society for every pet of a WesternU faculty or staff member,
student or friend that participates.
“”WesternU established a College of Veterinary Medicine to promote the love
of animals,”” said President Philip Pumerantz, PhD. “”In addition to
educating future veterinarians, we’re also happy to support and promote
local health and safety efforts for animals. We started the donation drive
to provide an extra incentive to do the right thing, and we challenge all
other local companies and organizations to do the same.””
Spay Day USA is organized by the Doris Day Animal Foundation. During the
event’s first five years, more than 350,000 dogs and cats have been
altered. Animals can undergo spay or neutering surgery once they reach
eight weeks of age.
Spay Day services will be offered at the Inland Valley Humane Society on
February 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are required and all
animals must be current on their vaccinations. Neutering fees are $25 for
male cats and $40 for dogs; spaying fees are $30 for female cats and $50
for dogs. This is a 25-40 percent discount on normal prices. For more
information, call (909) 469-5668.
