2001: A Spay Odyssey Blasts Off February 27th

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2001: A Spay Odyssey Blasts Off February 27th

The Doris Day Animal Foundation's SPAY DAY USA Program

Unites Thousands of Volunteers and Organizations to Save Animal Lives and Reduce Pet Overpopulation

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Feb. 21 -/E-Wire/-- The seventh annual "Spay Day USA," the national campaign of the Doris Day Animal Foundation, blasts off Tuesday, February 27th, uniting thousands of volunteers and organizations across the country devoted to ending the tragedy of pet overpopulation.

Almost one half million animals have been altered in conjunction with Spay Day USA since its inception in 1995. The new millennium's first Spay Day USA, named ì³E001: A Spay Odyssey,ì³Eis sponsored by PETsMART Charities, which also sponsors PETS911, a free telephone and web-based service that links animal care services nationwide and offers participants a fast, easy way to access local Spay Day information. (Telephone 1-888-PETS911 or visit online at 1888pets911.org.)

The United States faces a pet overpopulation crisis as four to six million animals are killed each year because there are not enough good homes for them. Taxpayers spend more than $2 billion annually as local governments shelter and ultimately destroy these adoptable pets because of the shortage of homes. Millions more stray and abandoned companion animals die on our streets, after suffering from abuse and neglect.

For 2001, the Doris Day Animal Foundation hopes to top last year's impressive efforts. One unaltered cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years, and one unaltered dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years. This year, veterinarians, humane societies, animal control agencies and individuals throughout the country have signed on to help reduce pet overpopulation through a variety of programs which include discounted spay/neuter services. "While it is tragic that so many animals are destroyed annually because there are not enough homes for them, choosing to spay or neuter a pet is a solution that responsible pet owners support," says Doris Day, founder of the Doris Day Animal League and Doris Day Animal Foundation. "Past events have been wonderfully successful and it is our hope this year's efforts will save many more lives," she adds.

Highlights of activities taking place throughout the country for Spay Day USA include:

NEW YORK, NEW YORK: The Meow Project, sponsored by United Action for Animals, will subsidize spay/neuter surgeries.

WASHINGTON, DC: Save Dollars - Save Lives, sponsored by the Washington Humane Society with a grant from the Doris Day Animal Foundation, will offer a special Spay Day discount.

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA: Spay Now, a Web based game debuts for kids about pet overpopulation. The game was created by two girls, ages 11 and 14, with a grant from PETsMART Charities. The website www.ddal.org/DDAF/SpayDay will link to the game.

LAKEWOOD, COLORADO: A 2001 Minute Spay and Neuter Marathon is sponsored by the Colorado Humane Society and S.P.C.A. 100 animals will be altered in exchange for towels and blankets.

ALVATON, KENTUCKY: Keep the Change for the Humane is sponsored by the Bowling Green ì³EWarren County Humane Society. Collections of spare change from individuals, schools, businesses and organizations will be used as a rebate for those who spay and neuter their pets.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: The Rhode Island Wrestling Alliance sponsored Chris Saunders to distribute Spay Day information at the Special Olympics on January 30th.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: Operation Catnip, sponsored by SpokAnimal and the Inland Empire Veterinary Association, is giving out coupons on Spay Day good for free cat neuters at all area veterinary clinics.

HOUSTON, DALLAS, AUSTIN & SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: Neuter Scooter for a Nickel, sponsored by the Spay Neuter Assistance Program, will neuter cats for five cents.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: The annual Happy Tails Walk for Homeless Animals is sponsored by the Animal Benefits Club to raise awareness of pet overpopulation.

POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI: The Official "Spay Day for Poplar Bluffì³EProclamation by the mayor and pet population control assembly at Sacred Heart School is sponsored by Ozark Foothills Humane Society.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: DoDah Day, the city-wide family event sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, benefits local shelters and promotes pet adoption.

DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA: The 8TH Annual Wag-A-Thon is sponsored by the Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point and features a 4K walk, contests and prizes to support the local shelter.

CADILLAC, MICHIGAN: Spay One a Day, sponsored by the Wonderland Humane Society, is working with local veterinarians to provide one free spay or neuter each day in February.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: A $5 Spay Day Incentive provided by the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania will be given to low income Pittsburgh residents who bring their pets in to receive free spay or neuter services.

CHEYENNE, WYOMING: A 2001 Spay Odyssey Coloring Contest is sponsored by the Best Friend Mobile Veterinary Services with local Albertsons and Quality Farm and Country stores supplying contest forms with discount coupon for spay and neuter services.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: 300 Discount Vouchers for spay/neuter services will be distributed among three county shelters by the San Diego Department of Animal Control.

The Doris Day Animal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting increased protection for animals.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Doris Day Animal Foundation

Linda Dozoretz / Jane Covner, Linda Dozoretz Communications, [REDACTED-PHONE], Email: [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.1888pets911.org

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