WORLD SPAY DAY is an annual campaign that spotlights the importance of spay/neuter as an effective means of saving animals' lives. Hundreds of World Spay Day events will take place on Feb. 25 and throughout Spay/Neuter Awareness Month around the globe.
The Marin Humane Society offers low-fee services year round. Between shelter animals and privately owned pets, the veterinary clinic performs about 50 spay and neuter surgeries every week. In addition, every January, May, August and November, in conjunction with several local veterinarians, MHS provides low-fee spay and neuter surgeries for felines. MHS also collaborates with members of our community and local organizations, such as Marin Friends of Ferals, to sterilize feral cats and provide vouchers to the public to subsidize spay and neuter surgeries for feral cats by local veterinarians.
The veterinary clinic at MHS opened at the Novato campus in 1973 and has the distinction of being the first subsidized spay and neuter clinic in California. Proceeds from the MHS Thrift Shop in downtown San Anselmo support the operation of the clinic. Run by the society's Auxiliary volunteers, many of whom have served for decades, the thrift shop is responsible for helping to stem the flow of pet overpopulation in Marin.
With more than 20,000 animals a year in residence between the 1950s and early 1970s, pet overpopulation was once the most compelling issue for the Marin Humane Society. Seen as a comprehensive solution, the veterinary clinic provided access to sterilization surgery for both shelter cats and dogs and privately owned pets. Initially, only spay surgeries were performed. Neutering was added later as the procedure became more widely accepted and its benefits in helping reduce pet overpopulation were realized.
Thanks to the efforts of our thrift shop volunteers and MHS Veterinary Clinic, plus a community that has been receptive to our educational efforts about the importance of spay and neuter, the number of incoming animals to our shelter has decreased by more than 50 percent.
Not only can spaying and neutering your pet help curb pet overpopulation and prevent more homeless animals from entering shelters, but it also helps to keep dogs and cats healthy by reducing or eliminating the possibility of uterine infection, mammary tumors, prostrate problems and certain types of cancers. Neutering male dogs and cats also eliminates the urge to seek out females in heat, reducing the risks associated with free-roaming animals.
"Spaying or neutering prevents many medical and behavioral problems for your pet," says Belinda Evans, director of veterinary services for the Marin Humane Society. "In addition, it contributes positively to your community with less roaming animals and helps decrease pet overpopulation in general, resulting in less euthanasia of healthy animals. It is a win-win proposition for everyone — you, your pet, your community, and dogs, cats and rabbits everywhere!"
Contrary to myth, spaying and neutering will not make your pet fat or lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the main causes of obesity. Also, neutering a male dog or cat will not change its basic personality — he won't suffer any kind of emotional reactions or identity crisis.
The Marin Humane Society also offers low-fee spay and neuter services for rabbits. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting and spraying. And spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females. The Marin Humane Society has dozens of unwanted rabbits surrendered to our shelter every year and, sadly, rabbits on average take longer to find new homes.
By spaying or neutering your pet and supporting educational efforts in our community and beyond, you can become part of an important global campaign to reduce pet overpopulation. For more information about the Marin Humane Society's low-fee spay and neuter services, call 883-3383 or go to MarinHumaneSociety.org.
Carrie Harrington is the director of communications at the Marin Humane Society, which contributes Tails of Marin articles. Visit MarinHumaneSociety.org; follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MarinHumane.