Posted on: Sunday, March 20, 2005
ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Unneutered pets huge Island problem
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| One unneutered cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in just seven years. A single unaltered dog and her offspring can result in 67,000 puppies in six years.
Hawaiian Humane Society |
Hawaiian Humane Society
The Hawaiian Humane Society has launched 3Spay-ED in March 2 — an initiative to motivate families to neuter their pets now.
Potter
Tag No. 57756. One of the most distinctive cats in the Cat House is Potter, a big orange and white tiger. His personality is extra-large, too — Potter loves everyone! He's good with other cats, dogs, people young and old. Potter is even content when left alone.
Bully
Tag No. 57584. This smiling American Bulldog mix is ready for fun! Probably full-grown and almost 2 years old, Bully is a large dog with enthusiasm to spare. When he goes to his new home, he'll already be neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations and have a microchip ID.
These animals may have found already found homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open 7 days a week. For hours, directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187. Call immediately to report lost or found animals. "We're working with teachers across O'ahu to educate students on pet overpopulation — its impact on the community and the welfare of animals," says humane society president Pamela Burns.
"Most importantly, we encourage families to make a difference in the health of their own pets through sterilization, and to take this message home and share it with the rest of their family."
During March, there is a free gift for animals that are sterilized through the Neuter Now program. Every cat and dog owner who calls their veterinarian in March and books a surgery appointment this month gets a choice of a one-month supply of the flea preventive TopSpot or a microchip at the time of their pet's surgery.
All year, the society encourages everyone with unsterilized pets to purchase a Neuter Now certificate that entitles O'ahu residents to reduced-rate sterilizations for their cats and dogs. This innovative partnership is paid for by the City and County of Honolulu. Participating veterinarians provide sterilizations at reduced rates. The humane society administers Neuter Now at no cost to the program.
Certificates are available at all satellite city halls, the humane society and at www.hawaiianhumane.org. They also can be purchased by calling 946-2187, ext. 227. Cost is $40 for a male cat, $50 for a female cat or male dog, and $75 for a female dog. The fee covers the pre-surgery exam, anesthesia and surgery.
EBT card holders pay only $20 per cat or dog sterilization, with no additional clinic charges at the time of service.
"Use of the city's Neuter Now program decreased by 28 percent last year," Burns said. "About 6,000 pets were spayed and neutered through Neuter Now last year."
Since 1986, about 168,500 cats and dogs have been sterilized through Neuter Now.
"That's a tremendous impact on pet overpopulation," Burns said. "If all those cats and dogs were left to reproduce, there would be millions of offspring contributing to overpopulation. Neuter Now is an effective part of the solution."
Fifth-grade students islandwide are learning about the value of pet sterilization and issues of pet overpopulation.
ADOPTABLES
