It may seem that warmer weather is still out of reach, but now is the time to “beat the heat” by spaying your cat in advance of her heat cycle and preventing unwanted litters before “kitten season” arrives this spring – a time when shelters traditionally see large numbers of unwanted litters being born. To help reduce the number of homeless cats, the Athens Area Humane Society is offering a “Beat the Heat” promotion sponsored by PetSmart Charities®. During the month of February, the Athens Area Humane Society will spay female cats for a special rate of $20.
Spaying and neutering is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. While some worry that their pet may be too young for this procedure, spaying and neutering is safe for kittens as young as eight to 10 weeks old. And, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, spaying a female cat before the first heat cycle is actually beneficial, rather than waiting until after one heat cycle has occurred. The procedure is known to improve the health of the pet, including a reduced risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.
“Many people don’t know that female cats can have as many as three litters a year, and kittens can breed as young as four months old,” says Benna Cunningham, Board President. “It’s our goal to bring female cats in before they go into heat and become pregnant. Our ‘Beat the Heat’ promotion is a fun way to educate the community and prevent unwanted litters.”
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This special rate is even less than the organization’s normal low-cost price and is available to all residents of Athens, GA and surrounding areas. Cat parents who wish to take advantage of this offer must mention the “Beat the Heat” promotion when they schedule their appointment. The promotion is based on availability. Please visit www.AthensHumaneSociety.org or call 706-769-9155 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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About the Athens Area Humane Society
The Athens Area Humane Society was created in 1989 as an animal shelter for the cat population of Clarke County. But today, AAHS is a NO-KILL nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to lowering area euthanasia rates through adoption, spay/neuter, and pet retention programs. AAHS adopts around 400 dogs, cats and small animals each year; vaccinates 1,200 pets at its monthly Pet Care Clinics; and performs nearly 3,500 spays/neuters at its Athens Regional Spay & Neuter Center. AAHS currently has an intake shelter for cats, a foster program for dogs, an Adoption Center located at Pet Supplies Plus and a Spay & Neuter Center. The Spay & Neuter Center offers low-cost, high-quality services and is open to the public and also used by other animal welfare organizations.
About PetSmart Charities
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided $134 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of nearly 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).