North Shore Animal League America Reminds All Animal-Loving Americans About the Importance of Spay/USA® in Response to the Millions of Cats Euthanized Across the Country Each Year Due Mostly to Kitten Season

Weekly Live Pet Nursery Cam to Focus Attention on Rescued Mothers and their Babies Who Have Survived and the Need for Responsible Animal Choices

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This time of year, shelters across the country are filled to capacity with felines, as it is kitten season.  When the weather is warmer, cats are out roaming and reproducing at a faster pace than during milder seasons.  Many shelters are seeing the impact of this problem, which leads to extremely overcrowded conditions and often euthanasia.  North Shore Animal League America – the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization – is raising awareness of the importance of Spay/USA.

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Spay/USA, a program of the Animal League since 1990, is a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services across the country.  Its goal is to make spay/neuter services available to everybody to help combat pet overpopulation and homelessness.  

"An estimated 8-10 million animals enter shelters each year and, tragically, more than half of those animals are euthanized because they are the victims of overpopulated shelters.  Spay/ USA directs animal owners and rescuers to medical centers, like the one at the Animal League, that offer high quality, low cost spay and neuter services," said Joanne Yohannan, SVP, Operations, North Shore Animal League America.  

In an effort to draw attention to the responsible choice of spaying and neutering pets, a weekly a UStream feed will feature the Animal League's Pet Nursery for a live view of rescued pets and their babies.  Luckily, these animals are safe.  Sadly, millions of innocent cats and dogs that are either pregnant or nursing newborns are euthanized in the country's shelter system every single day.  

The first live UStream feed will occur on Thursday, August 25 at 12:00 Noon.  This will be followed by live weekly UStream feeds on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., beginning on September 1.  

Making the decision to spay and neuter not only helps save lives but also is critical to the well-being of pets.  Dr. Mark Verdino, VP and Chief of Veterinary Staff at the Animal League added, "For female dogs and cats, spaying stops the heat cycle and dramatically reduces the risk of mammary gland cancer and pyometra which can be deadly.  In male animals, neutering eliminates testicular cancer.  Additionally, there is less aggressiveness and roaming in animals who have been spayed or neutered." 

Spay/USA has 28 state programs that provide low-cost or free services and over 2,000 clinics nationwide with approximately 5000 veterinarians in the network, and offers a toll-free referral service, at 1-800-248-SPAY (1-800-248-7729), with phone counselors available Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.  For more information about Spay/USA, visit AnimalLeague.org/spay.

About North Shore Animal League America

North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world.  The Animal League reaches across the country to rescue, nurture and adopt pets into happy and loving homes.  Over the past decade, the Animal League saved over 200,000 lives and has saved 1,000,000 animals since its inception.  To learn more, visit www.AnimalLeague.org.

About Spay/USA®

Spay/USA has over 2,000 sterilization programs and clinics nationwide with 5,000 veterinarians in its network.  Its goal is to make spay/neuter services within the reach of all and to reduce the numbers of healthy, adoptable cats and dogs euthanized in the United States each year because there are not enough homes for them.  Spay/USA is a program of North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, which places nearly 20,000 orphaned animals into loving homes annually.  To find out more about the Animal League and Spay/USA visit www.AnimalLeague.org/Spay.

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America