What is World Spay Day?
World Spay Day is a global campaign to encourage the spay and neuter of companion animals and community (feral and stray) cats in an effort to save and significantly improve their lives.
World Spay Day was first started as Spay Day USA by actress/singer Doris Day and the Doris Day Animal League. It was initiated in 1995 when the estimated euthanasia rate in overcrowded shelters was between 14 and 17 million dogs and cats each year – today the rate has dropped to about one million. This annual event has grown across 74 countries, resulting in the spay/neuter of millions of animals.
World Spay Day is celebrated each year on the last Tuesday in February. Here, within our San Juan Island Community, APS-FH has traditionally celebrated World Spay (and Neuter) Day by hosting its annual “Spay-ghetti” dinner to bring attention to the effectiveness of spay/neuter in preventing the birth of unwanted litters.
Last year, due to COVID-19, we had to cancel this event. Unfortunately, again this year due to COVID-19, we are not able to gather in person to celebrate the success of national spay/neuter efforts and acknowledge the need to continue. Although we will miss the fun of gathering together, we wanted you to know that APS-FH continues to focus on this important work in our community.