Virginia is for animal lovers! Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued a proclamation officially declaring February Spay/Neuter Awareness Month in PETA’s home state of Virginia. This proclamation was issued at the request of PETA and a coalition of other organizations, including Virginia Beach SPCA, Norfolk SPCA, Chesapeake Humane Society, Reba’s Rescue, The Virginia Alliance for Animal Shelters, and the Danville Area Humane Society.
Why is Spay/Neuter Awareness So Important?
Shelters across the country are already overflowing with unwanted cats and dogs. Millions of cats and dogs are struggling to survive on the streets, where they may get hit by cars, attacked by other animals or cruel humans, or catch deadly diseases—many freeze when temperatures drop in the winter or suffer from heat exhaustion in the summer.
Spaying and neutering are routine, affordable surgeries that can prevent thousands of animals from being born, only for humans to abandon, neglect, or abuse them. Sterilized companion animals live longer and more comfortable lives. Altered animals are less likely to contract deadly, contagious diseases, such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia, which are spread through bodily fluids. Sterilization is the most important thing humans can do to save cats and dogs from the suffering caused by companion-animal overpopulation and homelessness.
Sterilization prevents suffering—period.
Virginia’s Spay/Neuter Awareness Month highlights the work of the state’s shelters and releasing agencies, which take in an estimated 220,000 homeless and unwanted cats and dogs every year. As many residents struggle to afford spay/neuter surgeries due to the rising cost of veterinary care and the veterinary workforce shortage, PETA provides vital free and low-cost resources to help ease the burden of the companion-animal homelessness and overpopulation crisis on shelters. Since 2001, PETA’s clinics have spayed or neutered almost 237,000 animals, saving millions of lives!
In 2024, we provided more than 3,000 families with free counseling services and veterinary care for companion animals; “fixed” more than 11,000 animals at our mobile spay/neuter clinics; delivered 158 free sturdy doghouses at straw bedding to dogs tethered or penned outside 24/7; provided more than 7,000 chained dogs with flee flea and flystrike prevention, water, food, and toys; found permanent homes for more than 520 adoptable animals; provided free transportation for nearly 840 animals to and from our clinics; and more.
Help Cats and Dogs On Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and Beyond
It’s humans’ responsibility to end the companion animal homelessness and overpopulation crisis. You can make a difference in your community by spreading the word about the importance of spaying and neutering. Also, share PETA’s adoption pledge to encourage others to never buy animals from breeders or pet stores.
Help PETA provide necessary free and low-cost care for companion animals by donating to our Mobile Clinics Division:
The post Virginia Governor Declares February Spay/Neuter Awareness Month—Here’s How PETA Is ‘Snipping’ Away at Animal Homelessness appeared first on PETA.