Harris County, Texas – February 9, 2017. Each day an average of 60 – 80 unwanted animals arrive at the Harris County Animal Shelter. Almost all of them are victims of our community’s pet overpopulation problem. Although it is normally in the spring that the shelter receives an increase of litters of unwanted pets, this winter many litters of puppies and kittens continue to arrive at the shelter.
Responsible pet owners can help reduce the overpopulation of animals by spaying and neutering their dogs and cats.
In commemoration of National Spay and Neuter Awareness month, many organizations across Houston and Harris County are collaborating in the “Big Fix,” an event to raise awareness of the stray animal overpopulation problem in our community.
Thanks to the generosity of partners and volunteers, the Harris County Animal Shelter provided FREE spaying/neutering services to pets from unincorporated Harris County on February 11, 2017. The Shelter’s Animal Control Officers spread the word in communities with higher stray animal populations. The demand for these types of services are so great that all of the almost 200 spay/neuter spots for dogs were full.
“We are so grateful to several local veterinarians and volunteers who are donating their time to assist our Shelter in this important event! We continue to look for ways to make it easier and cheaper for pet owners to spay and neuter, it’s the only way to stop producing more animals than we have homes for” said Dr. Michael White, HCPH Veterinary Public Health Director.
In addition to preventing overpopulation, spaying and neutering makes for safe communities, healthier pets, especially if done before 6 months. Spaying and neutering has shown to:
* Reduce or prevent many types of pet cancers and other health problems.
* Help keep pets from digging out of back yards and wandering the neighborhood where they can be hit by cars or get hurt by other animals.
* Make animals easier to train and pets are happier.
* Make pets less likely to bite people.
* Keep unwanted animals from bringing diseases into neighborhoods and occasionally into homes.
* Help prevent unwanted or uncared for animals (animal dumping).
* Decrease overcrowding of animal shelters and increase the chance of finding forever homes for all.