ASPCA "Operation Spring Break"

Dear Readers:

I love animals. I always had or have both cats and dogs in some period of my life. Asides from babies, there’s nothing cuter or cuddlier than a frisky kitten or playful puppy.

I always believe that animals are just like humans – they have their own personalities and temperament.

My pets were all different. My cat was very affectionate. She used to love vegetables, hugs and rubbing noses with me. She used to greet me at the front door and beg for vegetables. She lived a nice long life.

My dogs had or have different personalities. They were all affectionate and playful. One was was adopted and came from an abused household. Her personality blossomed over time. She went from a timid and shy dog to a very warm and protective guard dog. My other dogs included an attention hogger and the acrobat.

As a responsible pet owner, I make sure that they are well fed, take them to the vet if they are sick, clean up after their mess, and get them spayed or neutered.

Like most people, I believe that animals are healthier and live longer if they are neutered or spayed.

Spaying or neutering helps your pet to become calmer, and live healthier and longer lives. Animals often give birth to more than one offspring. Each litter can range in numbers from one to six or more.

One of my friend’s cat was pregnant twice in a year. Each of her litter had six kittens. One of the kittens from the second litter was a stillborn. I watched the mother cat frantically tried to revive her stillborn. She desperately held on to the stillborn kitten and mewed gently as she licked all over it’s tiny body. I hate it when people say that animals don’t have feelings or souls.

I believe that all life is precious. I abhor the thought of poor defenseless animals be put to sleep due to lack of funding or space. I make sure that I adopt a pet from the ASPCA whenever possible.

In my opinion, the only time an animal should be put down is to end its suffering or it bit someone hard enough to draw blood.

By neutering or spaying your pet, you’ll enable it to live longer and healthier lives. Not to mention, prevent future pets from ending up in shelters.

ASPCA “Operation Spring Break” Offers Free Spay-Neuter Surgeries in the New York City area to help prevent unwanted litters of dogs and cats from ending up at area shelters.

These surgeries usually cost $125. It’s free to those who live in public housing.
However, from now through April 15th, that fee is being waived for everyone.

“The surgery is 100 percent free”, ASPCA Grassroots Outreach Manager Jocelyn Kessler tells 1010 WINS. “We offer flea and tick treatments and also microchipping for an additional fee, but the surgery itself, the e-collar and all the medications the animals needs, plus important vaccines such as rabies and distemper are all included.”

The offer is exclusively for residents of the five boroughs of New York City and is available at specific mobile clinic sites through April 15th. Animals older than four months and heavier than two pounds are eligible.**

Clinics can accept 20-25 animals per day on a first come, first served basis. Lines usually form well before 7:00 a.m. for an 8 a.m. check-in. Cats should arrive in carriers and dogs on leashes.

To find a mobile clinic near you, visit www.aspca.org/877spaynyc or call (877) SPAY-NYC.

**Subject to availability and to the veterinarian’s determination that the animal is fit for surgery.

If you care about your pet, get them neuter or spay. If you have extra money, spend it on the extra services like flea baths and micro chipping. Your pet will thank you.

If you are financially able to, please donate to the ASPCA to help it keep running wonderful programs like this and to help them to continue feeding and sheltering the strays.

Until next time, stay well.

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~ by mamaeve on April 8, 2012.