Spay Day USA

Dear Editor,

Studies have shown that the involvement of pets in our lives can reduce our blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress, thereby reducing our risk of heart disease.

Those of us with animal companions tend to be more active, and their presence can help ward off loneliness and depression, In addition to providing us with these medical benefits, our companion animals can alert us to the presence of fire, intruders, or other dangers.

In short, our beloved pets offer us companionship, protection, and unconditional love.

Therefore, my fellow Animal Lover, ask not what your pet can do for you. Ask what you can do for your pet!

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to have her or him spayed or neutered. Spaying greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer and prevents various reproductive tract disorders, while neutering eliminates the risk of various testicular diseases.

In addition to improving your pet's health, spaying or neutering often resolves undesirable behaviors such as aggression, spraying and roaming (possibly lowering your carpet cleaning and fence repair bills). Spaying or neutering also decreases the burden on overcrowded animal shelters and volunteer feral cat caretakers by ensuring your pet won't be to blame for the births of accidental litters.

And, fewer homeless animals translates into fewer tax dollars spent to deal with them. As the American Partnership for Pets states, spaying or neutering benefits you, your pet, and your community.

We call on our fellow Americans to exercise their PETriotic duty by taking part in the Doris Day Animal Foundation's 10th annual Spay Day USA on February 24, 2004.

Together, we can ensure that all companion animals are healthy, happy and in loving homes.

Sincerely,

The McCook Humane Society

Board members and

volunteers