Cute Cat

It's World Spay Day and to celebrate, organizations across the country are uniting to fight animal overpopulation. The Humane Society of the United States reports that 6 to 8 million homeless cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year — and only half are adopted. Spaying or neutering pets and feral animals is a simple way to avoid unintended breeding and limit the number of animals in shelters.

Now in its seventeenth year, World Spay Day has bred charitable and creative events throughout the United States, including the Humane Society’s Pet Photo Contest. Enter your pet’s picture for judging by a panel of photographers; this is an opportunity to win prizes and raise money for spay and neuter surgeries. 

Shelters, veterinarians' offices and SPCAs are hosting tours and fund-raising events, and offering discounted or free spay and neuter surgeries today. Some have even been celebrating with discounts all month. Here are a few of our favorite events:

  • The Appalachian Brewing Company in Camp Hill, Pa., is hosting a “Yappy Hour,” with raffles and celebrity bartenders to raise money for spay and neuter programs in Central Pennsylvania.
  • To address animal overpopulation in Tulsa, Okla., the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin' is moving 70 dogs to Boulder, Colo., where animals are typically adopted within a week of their arrival.
  • In North Aurora, Ill., the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League is celebrating the opening of its new state-of-the-art, low-cost clinic with a ribbon cutting today.
  • The Sullivan County Humane Society is revving up for its “Spay-ghetti Dinner” at a country club in Tennessee. Proceeds benefit its spay and neuter education program, which promotes responsible pet ownership and offers reduced-cost surgeries.

Check out our map of some local groups hosting events today, and let us know what organizations in your town are doing to celebrate!


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