As a follow-up to Susan’s post, I just wanted to remind y’all to check out the HSUS’s 14th annual Spay Day USA website at www.spaydayusa.org. You can also find additional info on their main website, here.

And remember, it’s not just non-human animals who breed like rabbits. Yeah, I’m talking about the v-word. Hey, if it’s good enough for Rover, then it’s good enough for Roger. Snip, snip, snip!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare holidays observances spay neuter spay day spay day usa pet companion animal dog canine cat feline overpopulation hsus humane society of the united states vasectomy

My name is Susan Daffron and I’m the founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals (www.naprp.com) and the author of books on caring for adopted dogs and cats called Happy Hound (www.happyhoundbook.com) and Happy Tabby (www.happytabbybook.com).

Spay Day is February 26, this year and I thought I’d share a list of reasons why it’s so important to “fix” your pets because so many myths continue to exist when it comes to spaying and neutering. Here are three facts:

1. Spayed or neutered animals are healthier. Female cats and dogs can’t get uterine or ovarian cancer and the possibility that the animal will get breast cancer is greatly reduced. Neutering reduces roaming and fighting and most animals lose the desire to constantly mark their territory.

2. Spayed or neutered animals live longer. Statistically, animals that have been spayed or neutered live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

3. Spaying or neutering saves money. Spaying is a one-time cost that is tiny when compared to the cost of providing care for a mother and a litter (or litters!) of puppies or kittens.

It’s a myth that it’s good to let a pet have “just one litter” of puppies or kittens before you get her spayed. The bottom line is that by letting your pet have that “just one litter” you contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation. Even if you find homes for the puppies or kittens, those critters produce more critters and the problem grows exponentially and quickly. One cat or dog who has babies and whose babies have babies can be responsible for the birth of 50 to 200 kittens or puppies in just one year. The reproductive rate of dogs is 15 times that of humans and the reproductive rate of cats is 30 times that of humans.

Virtually every pet rescue requires that adopted pets be spayed or neutered. These people work tirelessly to save animals every day, so do your part to help them help the animals. Spay and neuter your pets!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare holidays observances spay neuter spay day spay day usa pet companion animal dog canine cat feline overpopulation

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Subject: Georgia Gas Chamber Ban [KC MEMBER ALERT]

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

Kinship Circle did not write/research this alert.
Reply directly to author of this alert: denbhl [at] yahoo.com

ALERT FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE MEMBER:
Georgia Gas Chamber Ban Needs Your Action NOW!

ALERT FROM / REPLY TO:
Denise Pajak, denbhl [at] yahoo.com

BACKGROUND:

The state of Georgia currently has a bill in committee to ban the gas chamber (the practice of using carbon monoxide gas chambers to kill unwanted animals) state-wide. Members are not in favor of the bill. Support for this bill is needed from GA citizens as well as nationwide. I want to flood the committee members with a SURGE of support.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Feb 4, 2008 6:08 PM
Subject: [GLOBAL] Flood Survivors Need Hay, Animals Amid Bombs…MORE

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

RELIEF GLOBAL
2/4/08: Flood Survivors Need Hay, Animals Amid Bombs…MORE

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Hay For Horses Who Survived Washington Floods
2. Violence Revisits Lebanon - Global Animal Aid Needed
3. Pause For Hope? Iran’s First Animal Shelter
4. Mortgage Crisis Causalities: Companion Animals
5. In U.S. 870,984 Confined Animals Died In Fires

(more…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Jan 26, 2008 4:34 PM
Subject: Part 1: KC DIGEST - Dogfighter LA, Sled Dogs, Rabbit Fur…

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

1/26/08
PART 1: JANUARY KC DIGEST - Alerts From Members + Action Links
www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/

PART 1: January KC Digest
1. PETITIONS, WEB LETTERS, VIDEOS
2. Carriage Horse Action Needed
3. Day In Court For Dogfighter In Shreveport, Louisiana
4. Help Save Iditarod Dogs From Brutality
5. Take Action Against Rabbit Fur
6. Burning Live Dogs In Stove Furnaces In Serbia

PART 2: January KC Digest
I DID NOT GET PART 2, Please send it to me: kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
7. MORE PETITIONS, WEB LETTERS, VIDEOS
8. Protect Companion Animals In Final Farm Bill
9. Sea Shepherd Hostages Freed, Action Still Needed
10. Miami-Dade Commission Picks Cruelty Over Tethering Ban
11. Halt Animal Torture In Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Jan 25, 2008 4:57 PM
Subject: Join us for Pet Theft Awareness Day 2008!

On February 14th, LCA will observe The 20th Annual National Pet Theft Awareness Day! Each year, LCA educates the public on the dangers of pet theft with the help of individuals and other animal organizations throughout the United States.

An estimated 2 million companion animals are stolen in the United States annually. Unfortunately, most stolen pet cases go unreported, so it is almost impossible to know exact numbers of missing animals, but we do know is that pet theft is a real threat! Stolen pets are sold on the street for top dollar (especially popular breeds), shipped to puppy mills for breeding, sold to animal research labs, trained for dogfights or used as “bait” by dogfighters. It is the responsibility of caretakers to protect their pets from these horrible fates. Visit www.StolenPets.com to learn how you can protect your pet.

Do you want to get involved and spread the word about Pet Theft?

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Born Free USA Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Jan 25, 2008 2:15 AM
Subject: Help Endangered Dogs and Cats and Take Action for Animals in Pet Shops

Alerts at a Glance:

* Endangered Cats and Dogs Need Your Help
- Contact your Senators and Representative to encourage funding for the conservation of wild cat and dog species in developing countries.

* Update: African Grey Parrots Get a Second Chance at Freedom
- Find out how your generosity has helped rescue efforts for parrots originally destined for the pet trade.

* PETsMART Again Linked to Mistreated Animals (link)
- In the wake of new allegations against PETsMART, take action to again ask that they cease sales of birds and other live animals.

* Vote to Help Prairie Dogs Today
- Casting your vote today can help provide much needed grant money for prairie dog conservation efforts.

* Born Free USA is now on Facebook!
- If you’re on Facebook, please add us! If you’re not, here’s your excuse to get online and find out what it’s all about.

** Other Ways to Help Animals
* Last Days for Dan Piraro’s National Bird Day Designs: Time is running out to pick up Dan Piraro’s National Bird Day designs, featuring the work of the creator of the popular, nationally syndicated “Bizarro” comic.
* Make a Donation: Please consider a contribution in support of our 2008 campaigns and programs. Your gift will help us make a difference for countless animals this year.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Tammy Grimes, Dogs Deserve Better - tammy [at] dogsdeservebetter.org
Date: Jan 22, 2008 2:05 PM
Subject: 10,000 Addresses? No Sweat…That’s Only 2 Each!

10,000 Addresses? No Sweat…That’s Only 2 Each!

Meet my newest foster, Delilah (who rumor has it is considering me for her new mommy…she talks in her sleep when she’s snuggled up to me at night, and I swear I heard her say it!) She, like Riley who so many of you generously sponsored this Holiday Season, had been living on a chain without even the ability to see to relieve the daily boredom, loneliness, and yearly sojourn into Pennsylvania’s winter cold. For she’s blind.

Can you imagine even for a moment living your life on the end of a chain not able to see? How terrifying, and so helpless to even defend yourself against intruders.

Thanks to a network of Pennsylvania volunteers, Delilah is now free and loving her inside home and family here with me, even sharing in the Christmas joys with her siblings.

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UPDATE, 2/5/08:

Here’s a more recent alert, with a sample letter, also from SDAC:

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ACT: Help abused dogs in Miami, Florida - WRITE
Posted by: SledDogAC [at] aol.com
Fri Feb 1, 2008 8:03 pm (PST)
Please write and forward widely

Sample letter and email block follow:

Chained dogs bake outside in the intense tropical heat and sun of Miami-Dade County. Imagine how painful it is for a dog when a scorching hot metal chain touches his paws, nose or genitals. Chained dogs are also subject to tropical storm and hurricane force winds. On Jan. 22, 2008, the Miami-Dade County Commission rejected a tethering ordinance that would have established humane conditions for tethering. The ordinance would have required people to be outside when their dogs are chained. Please help the chained dogs of Miami-Dade County by writing to the commissioners of Miami-Dade County.

Commissioner emails:

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Jan 18, 2008 3:17 PM
Subject: Act Now! Protect Pets in the Final Farm Bill! 1/18

Contact Your Legislators Today!
Help Protect Pets in the Final Farm Bill!

Did you get inspired to help animals by watching “Dealing Dogs?”

Here is how you can make a difference…

Please contact as many conferees as you can, making those who represent your district or state a priority.

See below for all the details.

Thank you on behalf of the animals!

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