Best Friends and local rescue groups team up to reduce numbers of homeless kittens this spring
Kanab, UT (February 7, 2008) In an effort to head off the spring/summer feline birth explosion, Best Friends Animal Society and local animal welfare advocates nationwide are offering the first annual national Tom Cat Special.
Between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day (February 14 - March 17), $10 cat spays and neuters will be offered to the low-income public at participating veterinary clinics in eight U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Guam. Each participating clinic has generously committed to neutering a minimum of 10 male cats (Toms) for $10 each.
This year's goal: to alter more than 3,000 cats. Volunteers in communities throughout the U.S. will begin taking calls from the public starting February 4, 2008.
Qualified recipients will be referred to a participating clinic after being screened as low income by local event coordinators. All other callers will be referred whenever possible to existing local, low-cost spay/neuter resources.
Celeste Crimi, Best Friends Animal Society's national coordinator for Tom Cat Special 2008, explains:
"The goal of the Tom Cat Special is to bring the veterinary, low-income and animal welfare communities together to help reduce the number of homeless cats. Since cats are the most relinquished and euthanized pets in U.S. shelters today, bringing down the numbers of homeless cats is crucial."
Crimi explained that Best Friends is coordinating this event in support of Spay Day USA, which asks each American to help solve the country's severe pet overpopulation problem by having at least one cat or dog spayed or neutered. Last year, about 5 million American animals were euthanized. By spaying or neutering companion animals, we can end unwanted births, reduce the needless suffering that homeless animals endure, and save taxpayer money. Be part of the solution! Spay or neuter every pet.
Space is limited and cats can reproduce as young as 4 months of age, up to 3 times a year, so callers are urged to act quickly! For a list of participating communities, please visit the Spay/Neuter Fever! online community sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society: http://network.bestfriends.org/spayneuter.
COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATING:
Bradenton, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Broussard, Louisiana
Thousand Palms, California
Phoenix, Arizona
Cedar City, Utah
Orem, Utah
Keokuk, Iowa
Calimesa, California
Yucaipa, California
Maina, Guam
Tamuning, Guam
Crescent Springs, Kentucky
Peabody Massachusetts
Delphi, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
West Lafayette Indiana
Fremont, California
Union City, California
Mays Landing, California
Santa Maria, California
Fairfield, California
Vallejo, California
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Yucaipa, California
Stockton, California
Lodi, California
Stockton, California
Rossville, Indiana
Related Links:
Springtime Spay/Neuter
Spay Day USA
More about the original Tom Cat Special
About Best Friends Animal Society
Located in Kanab, Utah, Best Friends Animal Society operates the country's largest sanctuary for homeless animals. Best Friends works globally with animal shelters and rescue groups to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets.
"Kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us"
