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WHEREAS, pets provide companionship to more than 80 million households in the United States; and
WHEREAS, between six and eight million cats and dogs enter our nation's shelter system each year and these shelters cannot save and support this huge number of accidental litters and strays; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 30% of shelter dogs are reclaimed by their owners, and only 2-5% of shelter cats are reclaimed; and
WHEREAS, this tragic overpopulation of pets costs citizens and taxpayers of this country millions of dollars annually through animal service programs aimed at coping with the millions of homeless animals; and
WHEREAS, across the United States, animal shelters have to put down an estimated four 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, spaying and neutering is the only proven way to dramatically reduce the overpopulation of pets and feral cats, proving to be a wise investment in saving animal lives and taxpayer dollars; and
WHEREAS, through the City of Pittsburgh Spay and Neuter Program, City residents can get up to 5 household dogs or cats spayed or neutered for free at participating organizations, including Animal Friends and the Animal Rescue League (ARL); and
WHEREAS, this year marks the twentieth annual Spay Day, and since its inception in 1995, it is conservatively estimated that nationally, participants have altered more than 1.5 million animals; and
WHEREAS, veterinarians, national and local animal protection organizations and private citizens have joined together to advocate the spaying and neutering of pets and feral cats; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby officially declare February 25, 2014, as "Spay Day 2014" in the City of Pittsburgh.