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Humane Society Silicon Valley Encourages Public to Sterilize Cats by Discounting Spay/Neuter Surgeries in July

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA. Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is offering discounted spay/neuter surgeries in July to encourage the public to sterilize their cats to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. Throughout the month, female cat spays are $50 while male neuters are just $25. Appointments are still available and can be made by calling 408.727.3383 extension 827.


"Spaying and neutering cats is the fastest way to help end cat overpopulation, reduce the needless suffering that homeless cats endure and save taxpayers money at the same time," said Christine Benninger, president of Humane Society Silicon Valley.

Benninger notes that while many pet owners are responsible and do alter their pets, there is still a small percentage who delay the operation for a variety of reasons.

"Some people worry their pet is too young or will get fat and lazy after the operation," Benninger explained. "It's perfectly safe to spay/neuter cats starting at eight weeks of age," Benninger said, noting that all animals are spayed or neutered before they are adopted from the shelter. With regard to pets getting fat or lazy, Benninger says most pets get that way because their owners feed them too much and don't exercise them enough. Benninger says spaying/neutering actually helps cats live longer, healthier lives and can greatly reduce the incidence of certain cancers. Neutering can also make pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, spray, run away or get into fights.

"Our message to cat owners is: don't delay spay/neuter today!" Benninger said, adding, "We're hoping the discounted prices will encourage people to take action."

Benninger says homeless and feral cats are a large part of the pet overpopulation problem in Santa Clara County. "All too often, people feeding the neighborhood stray cat don't get that cat sterilized and find themselves with a litter of unwanted kittens," Benninger said. "Our message to these people is 'be a responsible caregiver and spay/neuter the homeless cat you're feeding.'"

Benninger says cats comprise roughly two-thirds of the animals brought to Santa Clara County shelters and are euthanized at a far greater rate than dogs or rabbits. Benninger says this is because a majority of them are feral (wild), too young (unweaned), or too sick to be adopted. In Santa Clara County alone, Benninger says approximately 14,000 of these cats were euthanized each year at a cost of $2.4 million to taxpayers.

"This is a tragedy that must end," Benninger said. To help address the homeless cat problem, HSSV spearheaded a Homeless Cat Coalition two years ago to bring together feral cat activists, county agencies, veterinarians and representatives from animal shelters in Santa Clara County. In 2005, the coalition helped alter approximately 4,300 homeless cats through a non-lethal technique called TNR (trap, neuter and return).

"TNR is a hugely cost effective, humane way of addressing the large number of cats dying each year," Benninger said. TNR reduces homeless cat populations by sterilizing cats so they cannot reproduce. TNR, when accompanied by ongoing homeless cat management, is the most effective, humane method of reducing homeless cat populations.

"Rounding up cats and euthanizing them does not solve the cat overpopulation problem, and in fact, creates a voice for new cats to fill and continue the breeding cycle," Benninger explained. Furthermore, Benninger says TNR saves money, noting that it costs cities approximately $250 to pick up, house and eventually euthanize one homeless cat. For the same price, they can spay/neuter five cats.

In March, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring 2006 the "Year of the Homeless Cat." In the resolution, the board recognizes TNR as the best method for managing homeless cat colonies. The board also approved additional $25,000 in emergency funding to subsidize low-cost homeless cat clinics. Benninger says the additional funding will help sterilize nearly 1,000 homeless cats in Santa Clara County.

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