EUGENE, OREGON – (February 18, 2022) – Tuesday, February 22 marks the 27th annual Wo­rld Spay Day, an international campaign that encourages people to save lives by spaying and neutering companion animals and community cats.  Greenhill Humane Society acknowledges the importance of promoting World Spay Day and supports this year-round.

“Spaying and neutering dogs, cats, and rabbits helps to reduce overpopulation and has health benefits,” said Megan Burroughs, Greenhill’s Community Engagement & Humane Education Manager. “Our community has thousands of un-owned, free-roaming cats that should be spayed or neutered in order to prevent unwanted births and control the spread of disease. Through our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program, Greenhill is currently addressing the highest need situations in which there are large numbers of cats living together in colonies or in otherwise dangerous situations.” 

In an effort to reduce the number of homeless animals born in Lane County, Greenhill offers the Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Program (https://www.green-hill.org/spay-and-neuter-resources/) and ensures sheltered animals are spayed or neutered before being adopted. TNR is the method of humanely trapping, sterilizing and returning free-roaming cats to live out the rest of their natural lives. This technique has shown to be the most effective and humane solution for feral cat colony management.

Greenhill’s TNR Program started in 2009 and since then has provided over 10,000 surgeries to free-roaming, unowned community cats in Lane County. This includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations (FVRCP & Rabies), flea treatment, deworming, ear mite treatment (if needed), an “ear tip” (the removal of 3/8 of an inch from the right ear which is the universally-accepted symbol of a sterilized animal), long-lasting pain medication and free trap rental. Financial assistance for caretakers may be available through grant funding or the donations of generous supporters.

In addition to reducing unwanted or unplanned animal pregnancies, spaying or neutering an animal improves the overall behavior and health of animals. Spaying prevents female cats from night-time pacing and loud vocalizations while in heat. Spaying female dogs prior to their first heat cycle prevents uterine infections, uterine cancer, and breast cancer. Neutering males prevents spraying, humping, aggression, and the urge to roam. It also prevents testicular cancer and prostate gland disease and infections. 

As part of Greenhill’s mission, over 1,965 surgeries were performed last year by the surgical team including 469 spay/neuter surgeries for free-roaming cats. In 2021, Greenhill sheltered and cared for 3,136 animals. Greenhill dogs, cats, and rabbits are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, receive recommended vaccinations, and are microchipped.

Greenhill’s medical care, including the ability to perform spay/neuter surgeries, is supported by generous donors. Monetary donations allow Greenhill Humane Society to provide the Trap Neuter Return program to those who need financial assistance. Click here (https://www.green-hill.org/donate) to donate.

To learn more about Greenhill Humane Society and the Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, visit www.green-hill.org.