Seattle Animal Shelter celebrates World Spay Day with free procedures

To commemorate World Spay Day (February 28, 2017) Seattle Animal Shelter‘s Spay and Neuter Clinic is offering free spay/neuter packages to area pets that are scheduled for surgery between February 27 through March 3.

“Spaying and neutering allows your pet to have a longer, healthier, happier life,” says Dr. Mary Ellen Zoulas, Director of the shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic. “It can reduce the risk of serious health problems, eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting and spraying, and reduce inter-dog aggression.”

These surgeries usually cost between $144-$186 for dogs, $102-$108 for cats and $90 for rabbits. While there is no residency requirement to take advantage of this special offer, pets of Seattle residents must be currently licensed or a license can be purchased on the day of the appointment.

For altered animals, a one-year license is $24 for cats and $35 for dogs; a license is not required for rabbits.

Dr. Zoulas also recommends having your pet – dog, cat or rabbit – microchipped while it is at the clinic for surgery, as microchips are invaluable for the peace of mind provided by this permanent means of identification should your pet ever become lost or stolen.

“Spaying and neutering are safe, routine surgeries that prevent animals from breeding,” said Dr. Zoulas. “This annual effort helps end the suffering of unwanted and homeless animals in our community by preventing unplanned litters.”

In addition to the foundation grant, the Seattle Animal Shelter’s “Pet Population Control Fund” partially funds this year’s World Spay Day special. “Spay Day” is an international campaign of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Each February, animal shelters and animal welfare agencies worldwide join forces to promote spaying and neutering of pets as the most effective and humane ways to decrease the euthanasia of homeless animals in shelters throughout the world.

There are several ways you can celebrate Spay Day in February and throughout the year:

• Donate to the “Pet Population Control Fund” at the Seattle Animal Shelter. This fund provides financial assistance year-round to pet owners who cannot afford the cost of spaying and neutering. It needs to be replenished constantly to maintain the clinic’s ability to provide resources to those in need. Please consider making a donation to the Pet Population Control Fund to help the clinic continue to save lives.
• Turn in a litter. As part of an ongoing Seattle Animal Shelter program, anyone who turns in a litter of puppies or kittens to the shelter is eligible for a free spay or neuter for the parent animal(s). In return, the shelter guarantees the adoption of the kittens and puppies, if they are adoptable.
• Talk to your friends, neighbors and family about getting their pets spayed or neutered. Year-round the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic can help those in need with discounted or free spay/neuter surgeries.

Dogs, cats and rabbits can be spayed or neutered at 4 months of age or older.

This promotion is possible in part because of a generous grant from the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.

To obtain more information about Spay Day Seattle, to donate to the Pet Population Control Fund or to learn more about other Seattle Animal Shelter services, call 206-386-PETS (7387), or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org.