February 22, 2019

Greenhill Humane Society Celebrates World Spay Day, February 26, 2019

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Greenhill Humane Society Celebrates World Spay Day, February 26, 2019
Greenhill’s Surgical Team performed over 2,500 spay/neuter surgeries last year

Eugene, OR – (February 19, 2019) – Tuesday, February 26 marks the 25th annual Wo­rld Spay Day, an international campaign that encourages people to save lives by spaying and neutering companion animals and feral cats.  Greenhill Humane Society acknowledges the importance of promoting World Spay Day and supports the message in the organization year-round.  In an effort to reduce the number of homeless animals born in Lane County, Greenhill offers the free Trap Neuter Return Program and ensures all shelter animals are spayed or neutered before being adopted.

In addition to reducing unwanted or unplanned for animal pregnancies, spaying or neutering an animal may, improve the overall behavior and health of an animal.

“Greenhill aims to educate about the importance of spaying and neutering pets and community cats, especially on World Spay Day,” said Megan Brezovar, Community Engagement Manager at Greenhill.

Greenhill’s Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Program provides free spay and neuter surgeries for all feral and free-roaming cats in Lane County.  TNR is the method of humanely trapping, sterilizing and returning free-roaming cats to live out the rest of their natural lives. This technique has shown to be the most effective and humane solution for feral cat colony management. The annual cost to offer free TNR services to all Lane County residents is approximately $65,000 annually, which is supported by Greenhill Humane Society, the city of Eugene and donations from the community.  This past year, Greenhill provided 1,118 free spay/neuter surgeries for free-roaming cats through the TNR program.

As part of Greenhill’s mission, over 2,500 surgeries were performed last year on surrendered or abandoned animals before they were adopted into new families.  The annual cost to run the Greenhill Spay/Neuter Clinic is approximately $165,000, which is supported by generous donors and community members.

In addition to reducing pet over-population, there are many important reasons to spay or neuter pets, including:

  • Improved behavior in spayed or neutered animals: Female cats may pace and be very vocal when in heat.  Male cats and dogs may exhibit spraying, humping, aggression and the urge to roam.
  • Improved health and longevity: Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer, and greatly reduces their risk of breast cancer.  Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland. 

Greenhill is currently embarking on a campaign project to improve the lives of animals, including a state-of- the-art dog housing and care facility. $1 million is still needed to complete the Veterinary Medical Clinic that will greatly increase the level of care Greenhill can provide to the community’s animals.

For more information on the importance of spaying and neutering a pet or Greenhill’s TNR Program, visit www.green-hill.org.

Greenhill Humane Society: Greenhill Humane Society has been caring for animals in Lane County since 1944.  It is a private, non-profit organization that relies on charitable donations.  Greenhill operates two shelters in Eugene, Oregon, 88530 Green Hill Road and 3970 West 1st Avenue.  We envision a community in which all companion animals have loving homes and are treated with compassion and respect.