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WHEREAS, pet ownership in the United States of America has more than tripled since the 1970s, and as of 2021, pets provide companionship to more than 85 million American households; and
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WHEREAS, nearly 90% of pets living in poverty and 98% of community (feral and stray) cats are unaltered; and
WHEREAS, an estimated six million cats and dogs enter our nation’s shelter system each year, of which, unfortunately, only 19% of shelter dogs and 3% of cats are reclaimed by their owners; and
WHEREAS, across the United States of America, animal shelters are forced to euthanize 1.5 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; and
WHEREAS, free spay and neuter programs and educational outreach have proven to be wise investments for many communities, as these programs gradually decrease the number of stray animals in a given area; and
WHEREAS, through the City of Pittsburgh’s Free Spay and Neuter Program, any City resident can have up to five cats or dogs spayed or neutered for free; and
WHEREAS, since the creation of this program, Animal Friends and Humane Animal Rescue have performed over 4,400 free surgeries; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 27th annual World Spay Day, and since its inception, participants have spayed and saved millions of animals nationwide, and hundreds of thousands in the Pittsburgh region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh declares Tuesday, February 23, 2021 “World Spay Day” here in our most livable City of Pittsburgh.