Show your love of animals by taking part in Spay Day 2011

Spay Day 2011, an international campaign of the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, promotes the life-saving benefits of spay/neuter. In conjunction with the campaign, People for Animals will offer up to 100 half-price spay/neuter surgeries for pit bulls and $25 microchips to all pet owners during the month of February. Donations also are being accepted to increase the number. For every $50 received, People for Animals will offer another half-price spay or neuter.

This year marks the 17th annual Spay Day. It began in 1995 and it is estimated that those taking part have altered more than 1,518,000 animals. This means that spay/neuter programs have reduced the number of homeless cats and dogs euthanized in the United States from approximately 13.5 million in 1973 to fewer than four million at this time.

For more information, visit www.pfaonline.org or www.humanesociety.or/spayday.


Local spay/neuter programs 

Several animal organizations in the Morris County (NJ) area are offering spay and neuter programs to residents. For affordable spay/neuter programs available in the Morris County area, visit Spay NJ at http://www.spaynj.org/clinic/morris-county-nj/ for a list of participating vets and organizations. 

Here are some events that are scheduled:

Smitten by Kittens is sponsoring free spay or neuter services. Morristown residents must show proof of residency (such as a utility bill or a driver's license) to qualify. Appointments for surgery will be scheduled at a Morristown veterinary facility, where pets can be dropped off the day before and picked up the following the procedure. To make an appointment, e-mail adopt@smittenbykittens.com.

Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover, is presenting an "Ask the Vet" seminar with veterinarian Andrea Antonelli at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22. The program is being held in observance of Spay Day 2011 and will offer advice and information on pet care and the problems and issues related to pet ownership. For more information, call 973-386-0590.


Mount Olive Trap-Neuter-Release Project will offer township residents owning cats transportation to low-cost spay/neuter clinics for their pets. Cats can be taken to a clinic where surgery and vaccinations will be performed for $70. The group also can assist low-income pet owners with the fee. For more information, call 973-584-5890 or visit www.mtolivetnr.org.