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Proclamation declaring Tuesday, February 22, 2022, to be “Spay Day” in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, pet ownership in the United States of America has more than tripled since the 1970s, and as of 2022, pets provide companionship to more than 90.5 million American households; and
WHEREAS, nearly 90% of pets living in poverty and 98% of community (feral and stray) cats are unaltered; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 5.5 million cats and dogs enter our nation’s shelter system each year, of which, unfortunately, only 19% of shelter dogs and 3% of cats are reclaimed by their owners; and
WHEREAS, across the United States of America, animal shelters are forced to euthanize one million cats, dogs, and other animals each year, many of whom are healthy and adoptable, due to a lack of critical resources and public awareness; and
WHEREAS, this tragic overpopulation of pets costs the taxpayers of this country millions of dollars annually through animal service programs that must cope with large populations of stray dogs and cats; and
WHEREAS, spaying and neutering is the proven and humane method of reducing overpopulation and limiting the number of pets that end up in shelters or on the streets; and
WHEREAS, low-cost and free spay and neuter programs and educational outreach have proven to be wise investments for many communities, as these programs gradually decrease the number of stray animals in a given area; and
WHEREAS, Animal Friends provided 3,890 low-cost or free spay/neuter surgeries for cats and dogs of residents of Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 28th annual World Spay Day, and since its inception, participants have spayed and saved millions of animals nationwide, including hundreds of thousands in the Pittsburgh region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, Allegheny County Council Members Cindy Kirk, Sam DeMarco, and Anita Prizio do hereby declare Tuesday, February 22, 2022, to be “Spay Day” in Allegheny County. We encourage all residents to spay or neuter their pets, and endeavors to build a compassionate community through a partnership with Animal Friends for low-cost spay and neuter, education, and legislation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 8th day of February 2022.