Thursday, April 2, 2009

Arizona Republic Editorial "Real Animal Lovers Spay and Neuter"

In case you missed the Arizona Republic this morning, check out the link below. Please contact the Editorial Board to thank them or post a comment. And ask your friends, family and neighbors to Spay and Neuter Today- before more litters of unwanted animals are born!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/04/02/20090402thur2-02.html

Real animal lovers spay, neuter pets
Apr. 2, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

A lot of people call themselves animal lovers. Evidence suggests that "affair of convenience" would be a better way to describe their depth of commitment.

The evidence?

Every year, about 93,000 healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in Arizona animal shelters because nobody wants to adopt them. Only about 60 percent of animals brought to shelters find a home.

Each spring, shelters see an uptick in the number of unwanted puppies and kittens brought in, says Stephanie Nichols-Young of the Animal Defense League of Arizona.

Everybody knows why. Dogs and cats are prolific breeders.

What's more, the numbers of animals euthanized don't reflect the many animals abandoned on the streets or in the desert by people who delude themselves into thinking the poor, domesticated creature will be able to survive on its own. These animals generally die hungry and afraid.

The answer - for real animal lovers - is to reduce the surplus population by spaying and neutering their pets.

Counties across the state use taxpayer funds to catch, keep and often euthanize unwanted animals.

Meanwhile, there are no-cost and low-cost spay and neuter clinics throughout the state. It's easy to find one. The toll-free number for the Animal Defense League's spay and neuter hotline is 866-952-7729. In Phoenix, call 602-265-7729; in Tucson, call 520-624-7729.

Puppies and kittens are cute. The reality of tens of thousands of unwanted animals being euthanized each year isn't.

That's why real animal lovers spay and neuter their pets.