In light of Tuesday’s World Spay and Neuter Day, the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) is urging the public to spay and neuter pets.
Local organizations have helped thousands of animals throughout the Okanagan Valley. And to date, OHS he has spayed or neutered over 25,000 local animals.
“Most of our mission work and funding goes directly to spaying and neutering animals in our community,” OHS Volunteers Committee President Romany Runnals said in a press release.
“We rescue animals and support low-cost sterilization programs through our partner veterinarians for families in financial distress who find it difficult to sterilize or sterilize their pets. We also ensure that animals in our community are secured to be part of our solution to pet overcrowding.”
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Two kittens rescued from a conveyor belt at an interior waste disposal facility in BC
Thousands of kittens are born each year in the Okanagan, and society says it’s especially difficult to keep the population down in rural areas and on farms.
“(We) have had great success in treating urban cat populations in metropolitan areas where there are more veterinary partners and volunteers, but in rural areas and small towns to reduce populations, We are still working hard on it.” Rannals.
Most of the society’s work involves homelessness, feral cats, trapping feral cats and kittens, sterilization, and returning home.
Runnalls says spaying and neutering animals can help control populations.
“The lives of many of these animals are terrible. These helpless cats and kittens have learned to live on their own, find adequate resources from outside feeders, and survive the harsh seasons. I had to.
“Their lives are fraught with peril, almost always ending in premature and tragic death from car crashes, disease, frigid temperatures, or predation.”
Spaying or not neutering your animal can also put your animal’s health at serious risk, according to society.
A condition called pyometra. It is a very painful and common condition that can occur in unfixed females due to bacteria entering the uterus during the ‘heat’ cycle. If it is not removed immediately, it can infect the abdomen and blood and lead to death,” read the OHS press release.
“It’s equally important to neuter male animals, as neutering can lead to this very common and potentially fatal condition if not discovered and treated within hours of a cat being ‘blocked.’ can prevent “
For pet owners, these ailments can cost four to five times more than regular sterilization or neutering.
“It’s much better to get them spayed or neutered before you get into an emergency or hopeless situation with an animal,” she said.
Meanwhile, the organization currently cares for over 100 animals.
The group operates exclusively on a volunteer-based foster care program and can take in more animals than most shelters in the Okanagan. We are also asking for donations to continue our work.
“We receive no government funding and rely on community support, with the exception of the BC Community Gaming Grant,” OHS Fund Development Advisor Marni Adams said in a press release. increase.
“The generosity of our community and supporters has enabled us to meet the needs despite the huge increase we have seen.”
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