Companion animal overpopulation in the United States results in the killing of four to six million cats and dogs each year. Although many of these animals are healthy and adoptable, the sheer number of them outweighs the availability of good homes. America's taxpayers bear the cost of picking up, housing and ultimately killing these homeless animals, as much as $176 for each one in some jurisdictions. Millions more cats and dogs never even make it to shelters. They are abandoned by their guardians and ultimately die from starvation, exposure, or disease.

Now for some good news! An innovative program called Spay Day USA has made great strides in overcoming this tragedy. February 27 marks the seventh annual Spay Day USA, the simple objective of which is to encourage every humane American to take responsibility for having one cat or dog spayed or neutered. Altering our pets prevents the births of unwanted puppies and kittens and, by extension, needless suffering death. To mark the new millennium, this year's event has been named 2001: A Spay Odyssey.

In Canton alone, shelter workers were forced to kill many cats and dogs in 2000 simply because there weren't enough good homes. Our community can help fix this sad situation by participating in Spay Day USA. For a free event planning kit, contact:

By participating in 2001: A Spay Odyssey, you can help set a course for a kinder future. Let's work together to make the routine killing of millions of cats and dogs a distant memory.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michele Belisle
Canton Veterinary Clinic
120 Tollman St.
Canton, MA  02021