Fairhope,AL - World Spay Day occurs on February 28. Founded in 1995 by the Doris Day Animal League and Doris Day Animal Foundation, then taken over in 2006 by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Spay Day has blossomed into a world-wide program with participants in 46 countries. Recent records from HSUS indicate that, of the 6-8 million animals that enter shelters each year, about 3-4 million are euthanized. World Spay Day is an annual event to promote spay/neuter as an effective means of preventing unwanted litters of animals and, thus, saving animals’ lives. The Haven, a local non-profit adoption guarantee animal shelter, has long felt that euthanasia of healthy, treatable and adoptable animals as a means of controlling over pet population must be stopped. The Havenhas fixed over 4,000 animals since it began and is a strong advocate for spay/neuter. Because there are not enough families to take in the number of unwanted pets born in the world, spay and neutering our companion animals is definitely a first, and primary step, to ensure that unwanted pets do not come to that unnecessary end.

On the eastern shore, Bay Area Spay Neuter Clinic, located in the offices of Dr. Ron Shindler at Eastern Shore Animal Hospital on Plantation Blvd. in Fairhope, was started nearly two years ago. “It was started as a result of demand for more choice in the services required as part of the spay neuter procedure and the need for more affordable services for people who didn't feel they had enough opportunity to find low cost spay neuter services,” said Dr. Shindler. “Our services at Bay Area Spay Neuter Clinic are continuing to grow as more people hear about us. I personally feel that it is important to provide a choice in spay neuter services. Owners who can afford and desire all the services provided in other hospitals should by all means utilize those services; owners looking for quality and value should use Bay Area Spay Neuter Clinic.”

Not only does spay/neuter prevent unwanted animals from being born, it also promotes a more healthy animal. They live longer, chances for uterine/ovarian cancer in females and prostate cancer in males is reduced. Further, a fixed animal is less likely to roam or have behavioral problems. This year, ensure that your pet is fixed, or, if you do not have a pet, donate to or volunteer at your local animal shelter.