CCHS Urges Community to be Responsible Pet Owners
The Clay County Humane Society was established in 1978. Initially our service to the community was the operation of a small shelter for abandoned dogs and cats that provided veterinary care, sterilization, and adoption into suitable homes. During the time we operated the shelter, the proliferation of unwanted dogs and cats ultimately resulted in a euthanasia rate at the County's Animal Control facility of approximately 10,000 animals per year. It became obvious that while our shelter work was worthwhile, a more aggressive approach to the pet overpopulation problem was needed. The Humane Society responded by opening the areas first non-profit animal clinic in 1991 where spay and neuter surgery and other basic veterinary care was offered at substantially reduced rates. The Society's primary focus is our spay and neuter program. Some ask, what is the importance of spaying and neutering your companion animals. The reason is simple, to save a life.

Each day 10,000 humans are born in the United States and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. Approximately 10 million pets are euthanized annually, that's 192,308 per week or 27,473 pets euthanized every 24 hours 365 days a year. Spaying and neutering is a vital way to reduce these numbers. In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your pet's health and life expectancy. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a myth. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female decrease the incidence of breast cancer (the rate goes down to almost zero if the spaying is done before the first heat cycle). It eliminates the chance of developing uterine and ovarian cancer and a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus called a pyometra. Spay surgery also eliminates the heat cycle and all the undesirable things that accompany it such as messy spotting and the attraction of all available males to your yard. Neutering a male decreases the chances of developing prostate disease and hernias, and eliminates the chances of developing testicular cancer. It also reduces problems with territorial and sexual aggression, inappropriate urination and other undesirable male behaviors. The simple fact is that spaying and neutering can greatly increase your pet's lifespan and quality of life.

Since the clinic's inception in 1991, the Humane Society has sterilized over 35,000 animals and given necessary medical care to countless others. This has drastically reduced the number of unwanted animals in our own community and has saved taxpayer dollars. The Society is on the forefront battling the pet overpopulation problem and striving to meet the needs of the community. Through humane education and increased public awareness we hope to promote responsible pet ownership. So please, remember, spay and neuter it can save a life.