Spay and neuter pets to save lives
The 11th annual Spay Day USA, Fresno is this Tuesday,
Feb. 28
Illustration by Angela Lorona / The Collegian |
By Maria Miranda
The Collegian
EVERY DAY AN average of 110 animals are killed in the Fresno County because of animal overpopulation. The Central Valley SPCA hopes to change that.
The 11th annual Spay Day USA will take place Feb. 28. The national campaign focuses on promoting spaying and neutering as a solution to the animal overpopulation problem in the Valley.
“We, in collaboration with other vets in Fresno, combine efforts to spay and neuter as many animals as possible,” said Beth Caffrey, special events and volunteer coordinator for the SPCA. “This year we are looking at spaying 100-plus animals that wouldn’t normally have been done.”
The SPCA works with the nonprofit Doris Day Animal Foundation to help low income families spay and neuter their pets. With the increased number of pets having the operation, less unwanted animals will be born and ultimately euthanized.
“Adoptable animals unfortunately are euthanized since there are not enough homes,” Caffrey said. “The only way to change that is to spay and neuter them.”
Low-income families can pick up an application for their pets either at the SPCA or through its Web site.
Those selected will receive a voucher, which can be used at the specified veterinary hospital.
Caffrey said the applications will be processed as soon as possible, but it is up to the veterinarian how soon the family will be able to have their pet spayed or neutered.
She did point out this is not the only time to apply for the voucher. Applications are accepted year round.
Also, for those who do not apply, there are other funds such as the Rose Guenuso and K-9 Classic Fund that can help.
“If you care about your animals, spay and neuter them,” Caffrey said. “If that’s done, then reach out and help others. It’s not enough to just do your own.”
ACCORDING TO THE Hope Animal Foundation Web site, an organization that supports spaying and neutering in the central valley, 85 percent of animals taken into shelters are killed in the Valley.
For animal lovers like Lea Mitchem, the SPCA’s human education coordinator, it’s a sad thing knowing animals are being put to sleep.
“I wish we never had to do that,” Mitchem said. “I know sometimes it’s the humane thing to do, but when they don’t need to be, it’s wrong.”
Mitchem is saddened by animal euthanasia because she works with the Pet Facilitated Therapy program at the SPCA.
The program focuses on visitation. Volunteers visit the elderly at convalescent homes with the animals to promote interaction and communication. Seeing how animals affect the elderly is what Mitchem expressed as a “miracle.”
“The main thing is it provides unconditional love that only an animal can provide,” Mitchem said.
Mitchem provided an example of an elderly woman at a facility who refused to speak for three months. She was angry having to be in a convalescent home. Mitchem said she went in with a puppy to see if it would cheer her up. As soon as she mentioned the word puppy, the woman’s eyes sparkled.
“Three months of total silence and all it took was a little, cute puppy to open up a person who had just shut down,” Mitchem said.
Knowing animals can have such an affect on human beings, makes Mitchem think very highly of Spay Day USA. She said it is a wonderful, positive campaign.
“We need to realize our hands are tied because we have overpopulation,” Mitchem said. “We are having too many animals born and not enough homes.”
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