Cat Owners Should “Beat the Heat” Before Spring with the HSSBV’s Spay/Neuter Campaign

Warmer weather may still be months away, but the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley wants you to “Beat the Heat” by spaying your cat in advance of her heat cycle and preventing unwanted litters from being born this spring. Animal shelters commonly refer to spring time as “kitten season” because that is when they receive the largest influx of unwanted litters that are difficult to adopt. That’s why the HSSBV is offering a special “Beat the Heat” campaign sponsored by PetSmart Charities, the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America Through the “Beat the Heat” campaign, the HSSBV will provide $20 spay surgeries for female cats during the month of February while funding lasts. Spaying and neutering is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population and is safe for kittens as young as eight to 10 weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Spaying a female cat before the first heat cycle can be beneficial, improving the health of the pet by reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections. “Female cats can have as many as three litters a year, and kittens can breed as young as four months old,” says Jill Henderson, Development & Community Outreach Coordinator for the HSSBV. “Most people don’t want to see their cat get pregnant over and over again, so hopefully our “Beat the Heat” campaign will serve as a gentle reminder to cat owners to sterilize their cats before they go into heat this year.” This special $20 rate is even less than the organization’s normal low-cost price and is available to all residents of regardless of location. Cat parents who wish to take advantage of this offer must mention the “Beat the Heat” campaign when they schedule their appointment. This campaign is based on availability.