January 25, 2008

Humane Society Silicon Valley Adoption news

Hi there, my name is Katie, a 9-year old Domestic Longhair! I'm a sweet girl looking for my new family. I've got a big heart and lots of love to give. I even purr like a motorboat anytime you pet me! I would love to curl up in your lap as you watch your favorite television show. I can't wait to go to my new home, so we can start our new lives together! Come and see me today! My ID number is 47137.

Hi! I'm Pokey, a 9-year old female Pit Bull mix. I'm a sweet bundle of love looking for a family to call my own. My meet-your-match color is green and I'm the life of the party! I love tennis balls and squeaky toys but my favorite thing of all is a good rub on the belly. If you're looking for a sweet, mellow girl with a lot of love to give, look no further. My ID number is 51963.

Humane Society Silicon Valley is a walk-in and adopt shelter. No appointment is needed. If you have questions on adopting a pet call 408-727-3383 x 856, or visit hssv.org. Incoming animals accepted 24 hours a day; 365 days a year. Adoptions viewing hours: Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. OUR MISSION: To promote value and respect for animal life by connecting people and pets through education and technology. Humane Society Silicon Valley is located at 2530 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

Humane Society Silicon Valley encourages public to sterilize
pets by discounting spay/neuter surgeries in February

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) and participating local veterinarians are offering 50 percent discounts on all spay/neuter surgeries during the month of February 2008.

HSSV is offering the discounts to encourage the public to sterilize their pets to prevent unwanted litters and to help reduce pet overpopulation. “Our message to pet owners is: Don’t delay, spay/neuter today,” says Christine Benninger, president of HSSV. “We’re hoping the discounted prices will encourage people to take action.”

Dr. Beth Wildermann performs spay / neuter surgery as Veteri-nary Technician Ben Munoz assists. Dr.Wildermann is one of those rare veterinarians who has made it her mission to reduce the unnecessary euthanasia of unwanted animals in Santa Clara County through spay/neuter surgeries. During her professional career as a spay/neuter specialist, Dr. Beth has performed more than 20,000 surgeries, preventing the potential births of more than 1 million dogs, cats and rabbits!

Throughout the month, female cat spays are $62.50 while male cat neuters are just $37.50. Spay/neuter surgeries for dogs are priced by the animal’s weight and sex and range from $57.50 for a male dog under 30 pounds to $92.50 for a female dog weighing between 76 and 99 pounds. Prices include a brief pre-op exam, pre-anesthetic, anesthetic, spay/neuter surgery and hospitalization on the day of surgery.

There are additional charges for those animals in-heat, pregnant, cryptorchid and/or obese, and all animals must be current on all vaccinations. More information can be found at www.hssv.org. Appointments can be made by calling (408) 727-3383, ext. 828.

“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 spaying and neutering prevents millions of surplus births nationwide and saves millions of taxpayers’ dollars,” Benninger says.

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 says. Benninger says it is safe to alter healthy cats and dogs as young as eight weeks of age. 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 overfeed them and do not exercise them enough. “Spaying/neutering actually helps pets 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,” Benninger says.

About Humane Society Silicon Valley
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is an independent, non-profit agency offering quality adoptions, medical care and education programs to enhance the human-animal bond. Established in 1929, HSSV has served Silicon Valley for 78 years and adopted more than 500,000 animals into permanent, loving homes.