New "Spay and Save" Program Launched to Help Comox Valley Cat Guardians
March 15, 2006. For immediate release. The Cat Advocates Society and the Comox Valley and District Branch of the BC SPCA have joined forces to help reduce the tragedy of pet overpopulation in the Comox Valley. The two animal welfare societies have each set aside $3,000 for a new "Spay and Save" program which will provide financial assistance for cat spays and neuters for low income residents in the area.

"The pet overpopulation problem in this region is overwhelming, particularly in the spring when hundreds of kittens are born," says Carole Shannon, President of Cat Advocates Society. "It is heartbreaking to see these litters abandoned and suffering when no homes can be found for them."

Under the new program, Cat Advocates and the Comox SPCA Branch will arrange for cats to be spayed, provided with flea treatments and vaccinated at local veterinarians at a total cost of $75 to the pet guardian. Cat neuters, including flea treatments and vaccines, will be done at a cost of $50 to the pet guardian. The remainder of the cost for the operations and treatments will be paid through the Spay and Save program. It is anticipated that 150 cats will be sterilized through the program this year.

"We know that many people want to do the right thing for their pets but just can't afford the full cost," says Marianne Mitton of the Comox SPCA. "We hope this program will help promote responsible pet guardianship and will significantly reduce the number of abandoned and surrendered animals we taken into our shelter every year."

The two groups are hoping that local government, community groups, businesses and individuals in the region will help keep the program going through donations and matching grants. "Pet overpopulation is a community problem and we have to find community solutions together," says Shannon. "The most frustrating part about seeing surplus animals abandoned to fend for themselves or dumped off at shelters is that it is a completely preventable problem. By ensuring that our animals are spayed and neutered we can eliminate the tragedy of pet overpopulation in this region."

Anyone interested in knowing more about the Spay and Save program is encouraged to call Carole Shannon at 250-339-2000 or the Comox Valley SPCA Branch at 250-338-0932.

Further information:
Carole Shannon, President, Vancouver Island Cat Advocates Society, 250-339-2000;
Marianne Mitton, Branch Manager, Comox Valley and District SPCA Branch, 250-339-7722;
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell);