When we brought our fluffy kids into our lives, we first had them spayed. Being member of Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA), we understood how important that procedure would be for the health of our pets. Given our love for FOLBA, I was very happy to see the organization recognized at last Tuesday’s Signal Hill City Council meeting.
During the presentations portion of the meeting, Mayor Lori Woods presented the group with a proclamation acknowledging Feb. 28 as World Spay Day (pictured). Accepting the proclamation for FOLBA was longtime member Midori Sanchez. When given the opportunity to address the council and the audience, Midori shared information about the organization.
After the meeting, I had the chance to congratulate her on her lovely speech. I then asked her if she would send me a copy so I could share it with our readers. She graciously agreed. Below are her comments:
Since FOLBA’s incorporation over 25 years ago, we have recognized that spaying/neutering animals is the most effective way to save animal’s lives by decreasing the animal populations that end up on the streets or the shelter. Aside from providing free spay/neuter vouchers for the Long Beach/Signal Hill community for many years, FOLBA further demonstrated their commitment to spaying and neutering in 2016, when we donated a clinic building and equipment to Long Beach Animal Care Services. This clinic will provide a facility for many spay/neuter operations, as well as other surgeries.
World Spay Day is an international day of action to promote the sterilization of pets, community cats and street dogs as a way to save animals’ lives. It takes place each year on the last Tuesday of February, which this year is today, Feb. 28, 2017. Spay Day USA was created by the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) in 1995. World Spay Day is now a program of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Humane Society International (HSI) and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA). On World Spay Day and throughout the month of February— Spay/Neuter Awareness Month— veterinary and animal welfare professionals, business owners and concerned individuals join forces to shine a spotlight on spay/neuter as the most effective and humane means of decreasing the number of homeless animals put down in shelters or living on the street.
One of the ways HSUS suggested as a way to participate in World Spay Day was to organize and sponsor a free spay/neuter clinic sometime during the month. This past Sunday, Feb. 26, FOLBA offered a free spay/neuter mobile clinic for underserved community members. We successfully spayed and neutered 26 dogs and also paid for their vaccinations, micro chipping, nail trims and other services as needed. Animal Care Services supported our event by providing licensing services and free name tags for each pet.
HSUS also recommended another important way to make a difference for World Spay Day: to ask legislators to adopt a resolution. A resolution helps to raise awareness of available services or the need for them and would proclaim the last Tuesday in February “World Spay Day.” 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.
We appreciate the City of Signal Hill’s support of FOLBA’s request for the adoption of a Resolution for World Spay Day. Signal Hill joins many cities, states and countries around the world that recognize World Spay Day.
