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December 19, 2011

How to Participate in World Spay Day

Humane Society International

  • Take part in World Spay Day! Mehmet Salih Guler/istock

The 18th annual World Spay Day is set for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, with events and activities in honor of World Spay Day taking place throughout the month of February. The information on this page will help you decide how you'd like to participate—as an event organizer, volunteer, photo contest entrant, or corporate sponsor. Eligible event organizers will receive funding from the World Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest to spay or neuter even more animals after World Spay Day is over!

Special information is provided for veterinary and media professionals. Be sure to review the World Spay Day Event Planning Guide [PDF] and, if you haven't already, create a World Spay Day Event Organizer Profile. Doing so will ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest World Spay Day happenings!

World Spay Day 2012 is partnered with The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

Ways to participate

Organize an event

Host an event on the last Tuesday of February (World Spay Day) or any time during the month of February. The main objective of World Spay Day is to inspire as many people as possible to have their pets—or other animals in need—spayed or neutered in conjunction with the campaign. Additional objectives include raising money to provide spays or neuters for animals whose caretakers need assistance, and informing people of the importance of spaying or neutering their pets to reduce the numbers euthanized in shelters. You can organize a spay/neuter event, ask your legislator to pass a World Spay Day resolution, host a fundraiser, or otherwise educate the public about World Spay Day.

1. Spay/neuter events involve the spaying or neutering of animals, or the distribution of spay/neuter vouchers for animals to be spayed or neutered at a later date. Most event organizers arrange for special, discounted or free* spays or neuters to be made available, particularly to low-income pet owners, homeless shelter animals awaiting adoption, or feral cat colony caretakers. Others use different means to motivate people to schedule that spay/neuter appointment, such as offering a prize drawing, hosting a spay/neuter party (free cookies and punch for everyone who brings in their pet!), or providing special information about the many lifesaving benefits of spaying and neutering. Spay/neuter events may also include fundraising and educational elements.

2. World Spay Day resolutions involve asking your state, county/parish or city/town legislator(s) to adopt a resolution proclaiming the last Tuesday in February "World Spay Day." A resolution is a formal statement adopted by the state legislator or city/county council recognizing a particular issue and a method of addressing it. A World Spay Day resolution formally recognizes the tragedy of pet homelessness and endorses spay/neuter as a humane and effective means of saving animals' lives.

3. Fundraising events involve raising money to subsidize the cost of spays and neuters performed during or after World Spay Day. Raffles, bake sales, "spay-ghetti" dinners, benefit concerts and shelter open houses are just a few examples of fundraising events that some organizers have found to be successful.

4. Educational events include activities like setting up a table and distributing literature, holding a World Spay Day essay contest or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. To get started planning your event, download the World Spay Day Event Planning Guide.

Volunteer at an event

Volunteers are often needed for a variety of important tasks at World Spay Day events. For example, during spay/neuter clinics volunteers may assist with greeting and checking in clients, and monitoring recovering animals. Other volunteer positions include staffing information tables, hosting fundraising parties, and helping to publicize the event. Please check with the organizer of the event in your area for more information about volunteer opportunities. Check back here in January 2012 to search for event organizers in your area »

If volunteers are not needed in your area, you can still participate in World Spay Day by:

Enter the World Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest

Win prizes and raise lifesaving funds for spay/neuter by entering your pet's picture in the World Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest. Each vote for your pet costs just $US 1, with the money going to the eligible World Spay Day Event Organizer of your choice to spay or neuter even more pets after World Spay Day is over.

Spay or neuter your pet 

Think your unaltered pet has nothing to do with pet overpopulation? Think again!

Despite the best intentions, accidents happen—an unneutered housecat will slip out the front door, or an unspayed female dog will be visited in her backyard by a stray male who dug under the fence—and unexpected litters of helpless kittens and puppies are born. By having your pet spayed or neutered, you are ensuring she or he does not contribute to the tragedy of pet overpopulation. In addition, you are reducing or eliminating your pet's risk of contracting certain cancers which can kill your pet and are expensive to treat.  Spay/neuter is a win-win for you, your pet, and your community!

Please do not wait until World Spay Day to have your pet spayed or neutered. Call a veterinarian in your area and make that spay/neuter appointment now. Your local animal shelter may have recommendations of local veterinarians, or you can ask your friends and neighbors.

If the cost of spay/neuter surgery in your area is truly difficult for you to afford, the following programs and ideas may help:

  • Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front.
  • Use your credit card. Ask for a higher credit limit or a cash advance.
  • Ask friends or family members for a loan.
  • Contact your local animal shelter. They may run an ongoing spay/neuter clinic; know of a local, subsidized clinic; or they may offer vouchers for a discount at a local veterinary office.
  • Contact your regional HSI office. Our regional offices are often familiar with organizations in their region and they may be able to tell you of spay/neuter clinics or shelters in your area.
  • HSI recommends that, in addition to preparing for routine pet-care costs, you regularly set aside savings to cover for unexpected veterinary bills. Create a special "pet savings account" and contribute money to it on a regular basis. Even a setting aside just a small amount out of every paycheck can help offset the expense of future veterinary costs.

Remember that, even if you pay full price for the procedures, spaying or neutering is a one‑time cost with a lifetime of benefits. Spaying or neutering your pet not only helps curb pet overpopulation but also reduces your pet's risk of succumbing to many health problems. It remains one of the best bargains in animal health care. Learn more about the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet »

Sponsor the spay or neuter of an animal in need 

You can also participate in World Spay Day by sponsoring the spay or neuter of an animal awaiting adoption at your local shelter, a feral cat, or the beloved pet of someone in need of financial assistance.

 Become a corporate sponsor

Have a product or service that you'd like to market to pet guardians or the animal welfare community? World Spay Day corporate sponsorships can help companies achieve their marketing and public relations goals. Through our many outreach vehicles, we help companies promote their products/services to new audiences; build relationships with local animal welfare organizations; provide exposure to HSI's constituents; and align with a cause that resonates with the general public. Help end pet homelessness while reaching new customers. Email corprelations@humanesociety.org to learn more.

Veterinarians and vet techs: Offer your skills

Veterinarians are vital to the success of World Spay Day. Without your involvement, spay/neuter surgeries would simply not be possible. The following are just a few suggested ways you can participate in World Spay Day:

  • Find a World Spay Day event near you, and ask if you can join their team.
  • Form or join a coalition of local veterinarians and hold a city, county, or statewide World Spay Day event.
  • Offer your existing clients—or only new clients—a special discount on all spay/neuter surgeries performed during the month of February, the last week of February, or just on the last Tuesday of February (World Spay Day).
  • Contact your local animal shelter and volunteer to spay or neuter a certain number of adoptable animals at no charge. Ask the shelter to provide the animals' adopters with your business card for follow-up health care visits.
  • Write an op-ed or letter to the editor of your local newspaper educating readers about World Spay Day and the importance of spay/neuter.

Vet techs are also important to World Spay Day's success! As a vet tech, you can:

  • Encourage your vet clinic to host an event.
  • Volunteer at a local humane shelter's event.
  • Discuss the importance of spay/neuter with clients whose pets are not yet altered.
  • Distribute information about World Spay Day and the importance of spay/neuter.

More information is available in the World Spay Day Event Planning Guide [PDF].

Media professionals: Cover World Spay Day

During World Spay Day, people around the world will come together to fight the tragedy of companion animal euthanasia by spaying or neutering their pets.

To interview an HSUS expert on companion animal issues or to find out more about the hundreds of World Spay Day events taking place worldwide throughout the month of February, contact Katie Jarl at 301-258-1483 or kjarl@humanesociety.org in our Public Relations department.

 Questions?

If you have additional questions about World Spay Day, please e-mail us at spayday@hsi.org