Humane Society Spay Day

In honor of Spay Day, today, the St. Augustine Humane Society is offering Historic City News readers a special discount on spaying and neutering cats.

The promotion is held in conjunction with the 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.

The special is valid for the Spay Shuttle which is scheduled for March 17, 2011. The shuttle is used to transport pets to a veterinary clinic in Jacksonville that partners with the St. Augustine Humane Society to offer the low cost services. Supply is limited.

The St. Augustine Humane Society is offering a reduced rate of $30 for cats for its spay or neuter service through the organization’s Spay Shuttle. The regular rate is $50. This special is being offered for cats because of the feline’s ability to reproduce quickly. The cost does not include fees for additional services like rabies vaccines.

According to local veterinarian and St. Augustine Humane Society board president, Dr. Eric Searcy, female cats start going into “heat” or estrus as early as four to six months of age. They are repeatedly receptive to the male for weeks during each cycle, which greatly increases the chances of pregnancy. Female cats can have three or four litters in a year, and at one to six kittens per litter, cats can reproduce quickly. Dr. Searcy added, “Unfortunately, only one out of every 12 cats born ever find a permanent home.”

“By providing low cost spay and neuter services, we are preventing many animals from being taken to shelters or euthanized,” said Celeste Hart, St. Augustine Humane Society’s Executive Director. “We are addressing the pet overpopulation problem by focusing on prevention and working to eliminate the need to euthanize thousands of companion animals in St. Johns County,” she said.

To make reservations for the Shuttle please visit the Humane Society during its regular business hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am until 2:00 pm and by appointment. To donate and volunteer, contact Celeste Hart at (904) 829-2737.

St. Augustine Humane Society is a non-profit organization which promotes responsible pet ownership and strengthens the human-animal bond through education and training. The organization works to reduce the relinquishment rate of pets to shelters through effective and affordable spay and neuter efforts and is a resource center for the citizens and animals in St. Johns County, Florida. Programs are made possible in part by generous funding from patrons, the Ted Weber Trust, and program activities.