The Doris Day Animal Foundation has announced February 11, 2005 as the 11th Annual "Spay Day USA".

The Foundation asks everyone to accomplish at least one of the following tasks on Spay Day:

• Spaying and/or neutering animals (or distributing spay/neuter vouchers)


• Raising funds to spay or neuter animals


• Educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering animals


• Helping the public locate spay/neuter services

One only needs to pay a visit to a local animal shelter to see the large numbers of dogs and cats that need homes. Most shelters get so many animals that they are forced to kill them just to keep from becoming inundated. Even though some animal rescue organizations are able to take some of the animals from shelters, even the rescues find themselves with too many animals to take care of.

Anyone visiting a shelter will see and hear the pleas of dogs and puppies begging every passing visitor to please take them home. It's a truly a feeling that puts a lump in the throat of any caring individual.

Another part of the problem is that so many people buy their pets from pet stores. By doing this they simply put another dog to death at a shelter somewhere. If people were to adopt their puppies and kittens from animal shelters and rescues, then dogs and cats would not have to lose their lives.

To find a local animal shelter or rescue near you, visit Pets911.com