February 23 and 24, 2010
 
Pet Prevent A Litter (PALS) of central Texas 501(c)(3), in collaboration with the city of San Marcos Animal Services department, and the shelter’s non-profit Mutt Strutt 501(c)(3), sponsored a countywide spay/neuter program in recognition of Spay Days.  It is predicted that we will prevent many unwanted spring litters.

Arlene Green, Mary Lou Katchen and Annette Berry at Spay Day clinic in the animal shelter
 

Spay Day is an annual campaign of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.

Spay Day, Feb. 24, 2009
we sponsored clinics that resulted in the following animals being fixed:

44 cats--13 males, 31 females
23 dogs--13 males, 10 females

This concentrated effort before the spring mating season makes a huge difference.  Every animal that we can fix before the mating season means an average of 4-5 kittens and puppies that we don’t have to find homes for and that means 4-5 animals that are sitting in a shelter get a little while longer for their new guardians to find them.

C.J. Cooley, Animal Control Officer

While completely free to those in need, the Spay Day surgeries themselves are paid for by the PALS organization, with some of the spays and neuters subsidized by Cause for Paws, Mutt Strutt and San Marcos Animal Services. Assistance is needed to continue be able to provide these services to others throughout the year. PALS is also the host organization for PET FEST, a celebration of pets held every fall in San Marcos. Anyone who wishes to help be a part of the solution to pet overpopulation should call 512-392-9749 or e-mail PAL@preventalitter.com to volunteer or make a donation.

The mission of the Pet Prevent a Litter (PALS) of Central Texas, a non-profit corporation, is to help end pet overpopulation and pet homelessness. PALS is dedicated to promoting responsible pet care through community education and spay/neuter programs for those in need. Volunteers, members, and donors are needed.

Humane Society of the United States Photo Contest Winners

It costs taxpayers as much as $176 to impound, house, and destroy a homeless pet through the Texas shelter system. On average, $40-$80 will spay or neuter the same pet. When you consider that an unspayed cat can give birth to 18 kittens each year and an unspayed dog can give birth to 20 puppies each year, and that the average cost for shelters to handle each homeless animal is $176, it's clear that Spay Day USA participants have potentially prevented millions of surplus births and saved millions of taxpayers' dollars.

For info about low-cost spay/neuter appointments, please contact EmanciPET at 512-587- 7729

or PALS at 512-754-PALS (7257)

An article written about PALS Spay Day for the Best Friends Network
by Jennifer Hayes, Network News Writer.

Photo: Jennifer Hayes

LOVE YOUR PET—Members of the City Council, PALS (Prevent a Litter of Central Texas), the San Marcos Animal Shelter and the Mutt Strutt remind residents that sterilizing pets is the best way to love them and make sure that no dogs and cats wind up unwanted and homeless. Mayor Susan Narvaiz issues a proclamation declaring Feb. 24-29 as “Spay Days USA” to encourage residents to spay and neuter their pets. L-R are Mayor Narvaiz, Sharri Boyett, Debbi Jackson, Donna Bellion of PALS and Mutt Strutt, and Kara Montiel, Bert Stratemann and Mark Brinkley of the San Marcos Animal Shelter and Environmental Health; back row, Council Members John Thomaides, Kim Porterfield and Pam Couch.

Please join PALS in their mission to help end pet overpopulation. Members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors are always needed to finance and organize fundraising and spay/neuter events.