THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH
4242 SOUTH 300 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107-1415
(801) 261-2919 phone • (801) 261-9577 fax
www.utahhumane.org
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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE:
Immediately (January 4, 2008)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt (801) 261-2919 phone
HUMANE SOCIETY HAS RECORD YEAR FOR
SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES, HIGH ADOPTION RATE
In 2007, the Humane Society of Utah for the first time surgically sterilized over 10,000 animals in its clinic and also found good new homes for an impressive 89% of its adoptable shelter animals. "The only way to end the problem of homeless and unwanted animals is through spaying and neutering, and through finding good homes for the ones already in shelters," says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "This year’s figures represent a milestone for us, and we hope to be able to eliminate the need to euthanize adoptable animals altogether within the next few years."
The Humane Society of Utah is an "open-access" facility, which means it will accept virtually every animal brought there. In light of that fact, says Mr. Baierschmidt, the organization had a very good year and did a great deal to help ameliorate the pet overpopulation problem. The Society attributes much of its success to the utilization of technological advances, such as showcasing its animals on its website as well as the electronic message center on I-15. The shelter is also open for adoptions seven days a week and has in the past few years revised its adoption policies to make it easier for people to adopt pets there.
"Everyone needs to take a hard, sobering look at the statistics. Consider the fact that in six short years, one female dog and her offspring can give birth to hundreds of puppies, and a cat reproduces even more prolifically," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "If each of us makes a commitment to prevent our own animals from breeding indiscriminately, we can get a handle on pet overpopulation. The bottom line is education — every citizen needs to realize how huge the problem is, how enormous is the amount of needless suffering and loss of life, and how easy it would be to reduce those figures drastically by simply doing the enlightened, responsible thing."
If more people would have their pets "fixed," there would be fewer animals turned in to shelters and there would be less necessity for euthanizing healthy dogs and cats. "We will continue to sterilize as many animals as possible in our own clinic to reduce the number of these unwanted creatures that are being born each year," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "We are committed to ending the problem of pet overpopulation, and I believe our record for 2007 is ample proof of that commitment." The Society is looking forward to even better statistics in 2008, he said.
The HSU shelter is located at 4242 South 300 West, and is open for adoptions from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 PM on Sunday. Spay and neuter surgeries are done by appointment only, and can be scheduled by calling 261-2919, ex. 230.
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