Over 150 spay/neuter surgeries performed in Delaware on World Spay Day
More than 150 large-breed dogs and free-roaming cats received free spay or neuter surgeries compliments of the Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare Feb. 23. The mass spay/neuter event was held in conjunction with World Spay Day. Spaying and neutering is necessary to stop the overpopulation of pets.
Delaware’s Spay Day activities took place in all three counties. The event was aimed at assisting owners of large-breed dogs and those who care for free-roaming cats. These are two groups of animals that experience high rates of homelessness in Delaware, according to OAW Executive Director Hetti Brown.
“Spaying animals is vital to reducing unwanted litters and may help keep those animals healthy,” Brown said. “OAW is grateful to the many participants in Spay Day, including those agencies offering the free clinics. Thank you, too, to all the Delawareans who have purchased the Animal Welfare license plate. Revenue from sales of the Animal Welfare license plate helped to fund these surgeries.”
The spay and neuter surgeries were performed at seven locations: the Delaware Humane Association and Faithful Friends Animal Society, both in Wilmington, the Brandywine Valley SPCA in New Castle, the Spay Neuter Clinic in Dover, First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Seaford Animal Hospital in Seaford and Crossroads Animal Hospital in Selbyville. Animals sterilized during the state spay day also received rabies vaccinations, if needed. Appointments were scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Spaying female cats and dogs reduces their chances of developing pyrometra (a fatal uterine infection), uterine cancer and other reproductive system cancers, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Male neutered pets have less risk of getting testicular cancer and possibly prostate cancer. In addition, dogs and cats that are spayed and neutered are less likely to mark their territories with urine, bite, roam, bark and howl and are less aggressive.
Revenue for the Animal Welfare License Plate Fund is generated through sales of the Animal Welfare license plate. The plate was first launched in 1995 and was relaunched in 2015 with a new design. The Animal Welfare license plate is available for $50 through the Division of Motor Vehicles. Of every purchase, $35 goes toward services for animals in Delaware. To purchase the license plate, go to de.gov/pawplate or visit any Delaware DMV location. For more information about World Spay Day, go to www.worldspayday.org.
