SNYP LAUNCHES FEBRUARY "PREVENT A LITTER" CAMPAIGN AS NATION GEARS UP FOR SPRING BREEDING SEASON

(Jackson and Josephine County, Oregon) February 1, 2012 - While winter is just getting started, SNYP (Spay/Neuter Your Pet), Jackson County's only low cost spay/neuter referral and assistance organization, is busy preparing for spring when the breeding season will be at its peak. Animal shelters across the U.S. will soon be inundated with litters of puppies and kittens. To help reduce the vast number of animals born with no homes to go to SNYP has organized Prevent a Litter Month.

Beginning February 1, specially discounted spay/neuter certificates can be purchased at all Jackson County Grange Co-ops and select Medford and Grants Pass Mini Pet Marts.

The special discount spay/neuter certificates can be purchased for $25 for a cat spay or neuter, and $75 for a dog spay or neuter for dogs 60 lbs. and under. An additional $10 is required for dogs over 60 lbs. The certificates are redeemable at any of the many participating veterinary offices listed on the back of each certificate.

Nationwide five million companion animals are euthanized yearly simply because they are born unwanted. Millions more are abandoned to fend for themselves. The solution is simple-by spaying or neutering companion animals we can end these unwanted births, reduce the needless suffering that homeless animals endure.

The SNYP Prevent a Litter campaign is made possible only through the participation of veterinary clinics throughout our valley.

Additionally, local animal welfare organizations including Friends of the Animal Shelter, Jackson County Animal Care and Control and the Josephine County Rogue Valley Humane Society have provided additional funding for the campaign to help further subsidize the surgery costs. "By preventing so many unwanted litters that result from the spring breeding season we will be able to save thousands of lives," states Susan Beldman, program director for the Rogue Valley Humane Society. "We're joining forces to save lives through prevention."

For more information on the February Prevent a Litter Campaign visit spayneuter.org or call 541-858-3325.

Get the facts about cats...

*A female cat can begin breeding as young as 4 months old.

*One unaltered female cat and her off-spring can produce 420,000 cats in only 7 years.

Get the facts about dogs...

*Nationally, 80% of the dogs hit by cars are unaltered males searching for mates.

*One unaltered female dog and her off-spring can produce 67,000 dogs in only 6 years.

*As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters each year are purebreds.

Rogue Valley Humane Society 429 NW Scenic Drive Grants Pass, OR 97528 Phone: (541) 479-5154 Business hours: Mon through Sat from 12:00 to 4:00 PM Closed Sundays Email: rvhs@budget.net