Pet ownership comes with big responsibility. As the weather in Sacramento gets wetter and colder, it’s even more important for everyone to help control the growing number of unwanted litters being born each day. Left unattended, most domestic animals will not survive outside in below-freezing temperatures. Sacramento shelters are full of animals that have been lost, abandoned, surrendered, or rescued from the streets. Craigslist is jammed with ads for people seeking homes for pets they can no longer (or no longer want to) care for.
The best way to help control unwanted pet pregnancies and keep animals from wandering away from home in search of a mate, is to have your pet spayed or neutered. This is just as important for male animals as it is for female animals. Your male animal can impregnate dozens of other animals each year without your knowledge, creating litters and litters born without loving homes to go to.
To help prevent your pet from catching and spreading potentially deadly diseases and viruses you should be sure to have your pet vaccinated. An easy way to ensure your animal is returned to you if lost (even without a collar and tags) is to make sure your pet is micro chipped. Even if your pet is an “inside” pet or you have a secure yard, things happen. And yes – taking these precautionary steps can be expensive.
Luckily, the Sacramento SPCA is making it easier for pet owners to keep their animals, safe, healthy and happy this year. Spay Day Sacramento 2013 kicks off on January 17th, 2013 at 7 a.m. as appointment application opens. Pet owners can request an appointment online at www.sacanimal.org
Residents of Sacramento and Yolo Counties can request an appointment to have their pets spayed or neutered at a deep discount thanks to the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition. Each animal receives approximately $250 worth of services, including microchip identification, vaccinations and flea preventive. Cash payment is required at time of appointment. Spay/neuter surgeries will take place on or around March 3 at participating veterinary clinics and animal shelters in Sacramento and Yolo Counties.
Families in Sacramento and Yolo Counties with an annual household income of $35,000 per year or less are eligible. Applicants can have up to two cats or dogs spayed or neutered on Spay Day, Sunday March 3, 2013, for just $15 per cat and $20 per dog.
In addition to spay/neuter appointments for dogs, cats and rabbits, the Sacramento SPCA offers YEAR ROUND special clinics for feral cats, as well as our “We Pay to Spay” clinics which provide FREE surgeries for pit bulls and pit bull mixes.
SAAC volunteers will call applicants beginning the week of February 2 to schedule appointments. Appointments are required and can be requested starting on January 19 by filling out an application at www.sacanimal.org.
MAKE A SPAY OR NEUTER APPOINTMENT TODAY:
E-Mail: spayclinic@sspca.org
Call: 916-504-2810 (for dogs) or 916-504-2811 (for cats)
FERAL CAT SPAY OR NEUTER APPOINTMENTS:
E-Mail: feralcats@sspca.org
Call: 916-504-2818
Click here for more information on our feral cat clinics
(Sacramento County and West Sacramento residents ONLY – Proof of residency required)
E-Mail: WPTS@sspca.org
Call: 916-504-2817
The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
6201 Florin-Perkins Road, Sacramento
916.383.7387