News
Celebrating Spay Day Across Ohio
February 23, 2009, 11:42AM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
Special events happening throughout the state
Special events happening throughout the state
By Susan Bracey and Jen Schrolucke, Best Friends Network Volunteers
Spay Day brings the philosophy of “No More Homeless Pets,” to the forefront when animal advocates and pet owners alike, spay and neuter countess numbers of animals.
February 24th marks the second worldwide Spay Day International and the 15th annual Spay Day USA in the United States. Currently sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, Spay Day brings attention to the millions of animals who are put to death each year simply because of pet overpopulation. Through no fault of their own, animals are relinquished to shelters or removed from the streets simply because they have no where to go.
We continue to strive for a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Spay Day helps animal advocates everywhere get closer to their goal.
The following is a list of Spay Day events in Ohio, as well as resources for spay/neuter:
? The RASCAL UNIT, LTD (Roaming Animal Sterilization Clinic at Low-cost), in conjunction with Colony Cats, Measles Animal Haven, and Franklin County Animal Shelter, will be sterilizing thirty pit bulls and provide rabies vaccinations if not current. For information on scheduling your pit bull, please visit www.rascalunit.com. Walk in appointments will not be accepted.
The RASCAL unit is a 33 foot mobile clinic and is equipped to perform surgeries, wellness examinations and more. RASCAL spays and neuters dogs, cats and rabbits and provides comprehensive care to individuals who cannot afford such services, subsidized services to clinics in need, and assists groups that are trying to control overpopulation of feral colonies. In addition they provide educational services promoting the importance of spaying, neutering and veterinary care. Since April 2008, RASCAL has performed 9,497 sterilization surgeries.
? Cat Welfare will be hosting a spay/neuter clinic at their shelter, located at 741 Whetmore Rd, in Columbus. During this event, 15 male and 15 female cats will be altered. For more information about this clinic, as well as information about volunteering or donating, please visit www.catwelfareohio.com.
? Knox County Humane Society, in Mount Vernon, Ohio performs low-cost options for Knox County residents. Feline clinics are scheduled every Wednesday. Canine clinics are scheduled one Friday a month. For more information contact the shelter at (740) 392-2287 or e-mail at knoxhumane@gmail.com.
? Shelter Outreach Services of Ohio (SOS) is also a non-profit veterinary service that provides low-cost spay/neuter and wellness exams to the communities of Central Ohio. In March of 2009, the organization will be expanding their services by opening a stationary clinic. SOS provides spay/neuter services to shelter dogs and cats, feral cats and cat colonies, dogs from rescue groups and dogs and cats from low-income families. For further information on services, or to schedule an appointment, contact info@sosohio.org or call (740) 817-2725.
? PetFix of Northeast Ohio is dedicated to end pet overpopulation in the region by offering affordable spay/neuter options to low-income pet owners, feral cat caregivers, and adoptable animals at shelters and rescues. For more information, including scheduling, fees, and how you can help, please visit www.petfixnortheastohio.org.
? Humane Ohio’s “Beat the Heat” will spay female cats for $20 in an effort to prevent unwanted litters as kitten season approaches. In order to take advantage of this promotion, you must mention “Beat the Heat” when calling to schedule your appointment.
Humane Ohio is a non-profit spay/neuter clinic servicing feral cat caretakers, pet owners and rescue groups in Northwest Ohio and portions of Southeast Michigan. Since 2002, over 21,000 animals have been sterilized by Humane Ohio. For more information, please visit www.humaneohio.org.
? United Coalition for Animals (UCAN) seeks to end pet over population in Cincinnati through education and affordable spay/neuter. For information on pricing, other services offered, and what you can do to help end pet overpopulation, please visit UCAN’s website.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Spay or neuter your pet! For links to affordable spay/neuter options in Ohio, please visit www.petsohio.com.
• For more information on how you can help to make Best Friends’ goal of No More Homeless Pets, visit the No More Homeless Pets community on the Best Friends Network.
• For more information on Spay Day activities going on elsewhere in the United States click here.
• Check here for additional Spay/Neuter Resources and join the Spay/Neuter Fever! community for more about how you can in your neighborhood.
Photo credit: taken by Jennifer Hayes