The Ninth Annual Tom and Mom Cat Special $10 Spay/Neuter Program Starting Soon!
Each
year between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day, in conjunction
with Spay
Day USA, Animal Aid collaborates with other local
non-profit animal welfare groups and local veterinarians
to offer $10 male cat neuters and $20
female cat spays to low-income
households. This year we are celebrating over 5,000 cats being spayed
or neutered through this event! CLICK
HERE to learn how to register.
Our target this year is 1000 spay/neuters during the month of the program, and you can help us reach this goal! CLICK HERE to learn how you can help...
Working Together Works!
In March of 2007 we received $10,000 in funding from PetSmart Charities™, and completed use of the funds in July of 2008. This grant was a partnership with Cherish the Animals, a local organization that has helped low-income community members spay and neuter their pets since 1998.
Where did it go? Take a look:
"Animal Aid and Cherish the Animal's spay/neuter program is an excellent example of collaboration," said Susana Della Maddalena, Executive Director of PetSmart Charities. "Partnerships like these are the key to successful, low-cost spay/neuter in local communities."
For a fun (but not entirely fanciful) view of how a pet views
this issue, double-click on the lower "Play" button to watch
this great music video created by Alliance
for Humane Action
Why do we care so deeply about this?
We, along with all other area rescue organizations, deal daily with the result of companion animal overpopulation – neglect, abandonment and death of the innocent. And we're losing ground.
Being reactive to the problem through rescue and adoption campaigns is ethically necessary but solves nothing. There will be twice as many animals in need tomorrow (actually, far more than that – an unspayed female cat over 5 months old can produce several litters per year). It is imperative that we proactively work to stem the flood. Are you strong enough to look at this problem straight on? CLICK HERE to watch a rather graphic video called In Hope: An Animal Shelter Story developed by Brightlion Creations for the Humane Society of the United States. Then tell us we're on the wrong track...
Be part of the solution – spay and neuter your pets!
- Spay / Neuter discount coupons Animal Aid actively distributes these discount coupons administered by the Oregon Spay/Neuter Fund. Again, they require the operation to be done by specific veterinarians (listed on the coupon flier), but there is no income level requirement.
- Give us a call at 503-292-6628 Option 2 and leave a message* if you would like to be contacted for advice on your particular situation.
- CLICK HERE for a list of other local options.
But surely you meant this is a problem in OTHER cities!
If you're thinking "this can't be a problem around here" think again. Quoting from a 2006 article in The Oregonian:
In the past five years in Oregon, the number of cats taken to shelters has increased to about 45,000 annually; 50 percent to 60 percent end up euthanized, according to rough estimates by the Humane Society.
Even though Portland has been named one of the most pet-friendly cities in the US, the news is grim for our feline friends here. Multnomah County Animal Services reports that their cat intake for 2007 was the highest in 25 years, with 5567 cats entering the system and a 57% euthanasia rate. Washington County’s Manager of Animal Services reports that in 2007 they took in 4399 cats. This is an increase of 25% over last year, and a whopping 81% increase since 2000. Of those cats, 64% were euthanized.
But my pet is special!
Think you have a valid reason for not altering your pet? Please CLICK HERE and let's see if you've got a case.
* Please note: In order to use our funds for the animals, we have a very small office staff; consequently all calls are initially received by voicemail. Our hours to return your calls are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Calls will not be processed on evenings and weekends.
