ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Spay Day helps pets lead better lives and reduces overpopulation
Hawaiian Humane Society
On Wednesday, in celebration of Spay Day USA, the Hawaiian Humane Society will give away 500 free surgery appointments for O'ahu dogs and cats whose owners want them sterilized.
Hawaiian Humane Society
The rate of reproduction of unneutered animals is staggering. One unneutered cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years.
Cisco is a handsome, healthy, neutered 10-year-old cat. A photo of Cisco when a kitten is the February feature in Hawai'i's Picture-Perfect Pets calendar. The calendars are available from the Hawaiian Humane Society for a $1 donation that helps care for the animals.
A single unaltered dog and her offspring can result in 67,000 puppies in six years.
Sterilization is a simple procedure that reduces pet overpopulation by preventing unwanted births and also extends the life of your companion animal.
Contrary to rumor, male cats and dogs will not develop prostate disease as a result of sterilization. They will, however, become less aggressive and less likely to roam, which means fewer fights and encounters with traffic. Spraying to mark territory will disappear in almost all neutered male cats and dogs.
For female pets, spaying reduces the risk of developing life-threatening mammary cancer and eliminates uterine infections, as well as the inconvenience of female heat cycles that attract males.
For outdoor male and female cats over the age of six months, sterilization is also the law on O'ahu. Identification also is required for all cats over 6 months of age on O'ahu, whether they are kept indoors or allowed outside.
Last year the Hawaiian Humane Society performed 7,893 sterilization surgeries and an additional 9,276 sterilizations were performed by community veterinarians as part of Honolulu's low-cost Neuter Now program.
Neuter Now is a cooperative effort between Honolulu, 36 community-minded veterinary clinics and the Hawaiian Humane Society.
10 reasons to neuter your dogs and cats
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They will live longer.
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They will be more affectionate companions and less likely to bite.
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They will not become lost or injured roaming the streets looking for a mate.
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They will not destroy property with territorial urine-marking.
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They will have less risk of getting fatal cancer or infections.
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They will not get fat and lazy.
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They will provide better protection for your property because they will stay home.
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They will be easier to train because they are not focused on meeting a mate.
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They will get along better with other animals and not want to fight.
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They will not produce homeless offspring.
A low-cost Neuter Now certificate pays for the preliminary exam and surgery, which could otherwise cost $200 or more. Buy a certificate in person at the Hawaiian Humane Society, satellite city halls or by mail. Or print an application form from the Web site: www.hawaiianhumane.org, Programs & Services, Neuter Now, Application Form.
Each surgery helped another pet live a longer, happier life and brings us closer to our goal of a loving home for every animal.
Here are the spay day details:
• You can visit the Hawaiian Humane Society from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday to make an appointment for a later sterilization operation.
• Or call one of these phone numbers made available by Nextel: 216-FREE (3733); 216-SPAY (7729); 216-IFIX (4349); 216-PETS (7387). These phone numbers will connect directly to Humane Society volunteers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday only.
• Send e-mail to spayday@hawaiianhumane.org from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to request an appointment. Include your name, address, phone number, pet's name, age, approximate weight, and whether it is a cat or dog, male or female. Your appointment will be e-mailed back to you within 48 hours.
• There is a limit of two pets per household.
• Pets who lack one will be provided with an identification microchip implant for $5.
• See the Web site for more info: www.hawaiianhumane.org, News & Events, Calendar of Events, Spay Day.
