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Contact: Dianne Zoppa, PR Manager, 516-883-7636 or diannez@nsalamerica.org

February is National Prevent a Litter Month
Spay/Neuter Initiatives Can Save Lives

Port Washington (February 20, 2007) - February is National Prevent a Litter Month and a vitally important time at North Shore Animal League America. The League is campaigning to raise public awareness of the necessity of spaying and neutering dogs, cats, puppies and kittens to ward off the vast numbers of litters that arrive at animal shelters each spring.

"When pets are not spayed or neutered, the results can be overwhelming," says Esther Mechler, Founder and Director of SPAY/USA, a program of North Shore Animal League America.

"A single unspayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring, producing two litters per year, with approximately three surviving kittens per litter, adds a dozen kittens to the feline population. While that seems to be a rather benign number, the numbers climb very quickly since the kittens produced can then have another generation of kittens five months later. Littermates can litter, and soon there are 35 or 40 cats," said Meckler, who adds that each year close to four million unwanted cats and dogs, kittens and pups are euthanized. In addition, there are several million free-roaming, stray and feral cats that multiply unchecked unless responsible feeders and caregivers bring them in to be "fixed."

The needless suffering and euthanasia of millions of pets each yet could be easily diminished if each family alters their own pets - or strays they feed - before litters are born.

For more information on spaying and neutering and how you can help spread the word about this life-saving practice visit www.animal-league.org and check for ways to help or get help at www.spayusa.org.