body
WHEREAS, pet ownership in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s, and as of 2017, pets provided companionship to more than 85 million American households; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 90% of pets living in poverty, and 98% of community (feral and stray) cats are unaltered; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter our nation’s shelter system each year. Unfortunately, only 30% of shelter dogs and 2-5% of cats are reclaimed by their owners; and,
WHEREAS, across the United States, animal shelters are forced to euthanize more than 2.4 million cats, dogs, and other animals each year, many of whom are healthy and adoptable, due to a lack of critical resources and public awareness; and,
WHEREAS, this tragic overpopulation of pets costs the taxpayers of this country millions of dollars annually through animal service programs that must cope with large populations of stray dogs and cats; and,
WHEREAS, spaying and neutering is the proven and humane method of reducing overpopulation and limiting the number of pets that end up in shelters. Free spay and neuter programs and educational outreach have proven to be wise investments for many communities, as the number of stray animals gradually declines over time; and,
WHEREAS, through the City of Pittsburgh’s Free Spay and Neuter Program, any City resident can have up to five dogs or cats spayed or neutered for free. Since the program’s inception, participating shelters, Animal Friends and Humane Animal Rescue, have performed more than 3,000 free surgeries; and,
WHEREAS, this year marks the twenty-fourth annual Spay Day, and since its inception, participants have spayed and saved millions of animals nationwide, and hundreds of thousands in the Pittsburgh region; and,
title
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, February 27, 2018, to be “World Spay Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.