It began months ago when Mr. James Fontanetta heard faint meowing sounds in the darkness as he walked home. It was raining lightly. He was on a busy street and he thought he was hearing things.
The sounds got a little louder and he followed them to a small area of bushes in between two heavily trafficked streets. He saw something white in the bushes and quickly reached down to grab it. It was a tiny white kitten. He was able to take it to a safe place to feed it and help it recuperate from being lost and on the street.
He noticed while looking for the cat’s mother that there were several strays in the area.
“The number of cats and dogs in my neighborhood is overwhelming. I saw several skinny animals going through garbage and ones that looked sick as well, it was very upsetting”. Ever since that day, his eyes were opened to a reality he never paid attention to before like most people.
“It became my respoisibilty to help these animals and get them fed. I started feeding as many as I could and then capturing the sick ones and taking them in for treatment. I also joined several animal rights/rescue groups and got spay/netuer certificates so I could spay and neuter as many as possible. The ones I can’t find homes for, I at least know will not be reproducing and adding to the problem.”
Every day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born while only 10,000 people are born. Every year 10-12 million animals are euthanized for lack of space at shelters. If you visit a local shelter, you will see how overwhelmed they are. One of the best ways to prevent animal cruelty is by spaying and neutering. Just like Mr. Fontanetta, you can help. Check with local shelters and animal rescue groups. They usally have low cost (around $20) spay and neuter programs and some cities offer free vouchers.
Educate friends, family and co-workers about the benefits of spaying and neutering.
Here are some top reasons:
Spaying and neutering helps your pets live longer, healthier lives. It eliminates the chances of ovarian and testicular cancer and prostrate disease. Cats that are neutered are not going to run away and get into fights over females. A lot of cats that get run over were out looking for a female in heat. Male cats can be very vicious in their fights over females, sometimes causing permanent damage to the injured cat. The ones that are on the steet walk around with untreated scratches and wounds which can get infected causing disease and death.
Also, it will eliminate the “spraying” that male cats do to mark their territory.
Females cats that are spayed will not cry for hours and attract male cats as they do when they are in heat.
The number one reason to spay and neuter is to prevent unwanted kittens and puppies. There are plenty of loveable ones to adopt in shelters.
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