Campaign Results in Over 17,000 Sterilizations

Last month, spay/neuter clinics in 31 states offered $20 spays for female cats, resulting in more than 17,000 sterilizations. The "Beat the Heat" campaign was held in February to spay female cats before they go into heat, preventing unplanned litters that create “kitten season” during spring months.

The “Beat the Heat” campaign is part of PetSmart Charities new $1-million spay/neuter blitz grant program aimed at saving the lives of pets that have the highest risk of being euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters: cats and pit bull terriers. 

Sixty-five clinics received grants so they could offer discounted spay/neuter surgeries and market the “Beat the Heat” event in their communities. 

This summer, the same 65 spay/neuter clinics will gear up for the second phase of the program with the “Primp Your Pit” campaign targeting pit-bull breeds. These clinics will again receive marketing funds and materials to promote the campaign and encourage owners to make an appointment for a $20 spay or neuter surgery during August.

These campaigns will result in nearly 24,000 sterilizations nationwide – ultimately reducing the homeless pet population by tens of thousands of at-risk cats and dogs that would otherwise wind up in shelters because of unplanned litters.

Since 2009, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $26 million in grants that have subsidized almost 1 million spay/neuter surgeries in the United States.

To find high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter services near you, go online to www.petsmartcharities.org and click on Spay/Neuter to access a free searchable database made possible through a partnership between PetSmart Charities and the ASPCA.