Ontario SPCA spay/neuter services have curbed overpopulation by an estimated 5.3 million pets
March is Fix Your Pet Month and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is urging pet owners to have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation – a number that could have been higher by an estimated 5.3 million animals in the province, without the Society’s spay/neuter services.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ontario SPCA Centre Veterinary Hospital in Stouffville, just outside Newmarket and the Ontario SPCA Marion Vernon Memorial Animal Clinic in Barrie. To date, over 45,219 dogs and 72,418 cats have been spayed/neutered between the two locations. Had those animals bred throughout their lifetime, they were capable of producing an estimated 1,536,000 puppies and 3,844,512 kittens that could have ended up homeless and unwanted.
Pet owners with cats and dogs that have not been spayed or neutered can register at one of two Ontario SPCA spay/neuter services locations: the Ontario SPCA Centre Veterinary Hospital in Stouffville, just outside Newmarket, or the Ontario SPCA Marion Vernon Memorial Animal Clinic in Barrie. These high volume, self-sustaining operations are open to the public, shelters and rescue groups, regardless of geography or income level.
Even if you don’t have a pet or have already spayed or neutered your pet, you can still help reduce pet overpopulation. In honour of Fix Your Pet Month and the 10-year anniversary of the Ontario SPCA’s spay/neuter services, members of the public can “spay it forward” by donating towards the cost of a spay or neuter procedure for an animal in need.
“Animals deserve a better life than wandering homeless on the street,” says Judith Aubin, Senior Manager, Spay/Neuter Services, Ontario SPCA. “We’re asking the community to help us end pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering their animals. Book an appointment with your veterinarian, register at the Ontario SPCA’s spay/neuter services or make a donation to help ensure animals in need, who come into our care, won’t be contributing to the issue of homeless pets.”