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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2003-007 - Spay and Neuter MonthRESOLUTION NO. 2003- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 2003 AS "SPAY & NEUTER MONTH" AND FEBRUARY 25, 2003, AS "SPAY DAY" 1N THE CITY OF REDDING WHEREAS, dogs and cats provide companionship to, and share the homes of more than 50,000,000 people across the United States, but if left unchecked, two unaltered cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years, and two unaltered dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 dogs over six years creating the problem of overpopulation; and WHEREAS, as a result of pet owners failing to spay and neuter their pets, between 5 and 6 million healthy adoptable dogs and cats are tragically euthanized annually by various animal control agencies, humane societies and public shelters across the nation simply because there are not enough good homes; and WHEREAS, while this number has declined in the Redding area in recent years through public awareness, education and various spay and neuter incentive programs, the City of Redding still contributes approximately 2,000 animals annually to the national total; and WHEREAS, companion animal overpopulation also eosts the taxpayers of the City of Redding thousands of dollars annually in animal control programs aimed at public safety, and the cost associated with coping with unwanted dogs and cats; and WHEREAS, in response to the crisis, veterinarians, humane societies, and national and local animal protection organizations have joined together to advocate and ensure the spaying and neutering of more than 250,000 companion animals during "National Spay & Neuter Month" and "Spay Day USA 2003;" and WHEREAS, the City of Redding will be participating in "Spay & Neuter Month" by displaying a banner across Pine Street announcing the event and inviting citizens to contact the City Clerk's Office for more information, providing a list of participating veterinarians offering discounts toward spay and neuter procedures, and by increasing the amount of its spay and neuter assistance voucher from $30 to $40 for the Month of February 2003 to encourage more owners to spay and neuter their dogs; and WHEREAS, the City of Redding is a strong advocate in support of controlling the overpopulation of dogs as evidenced by its spay and neuter program which has issued 776 spay and neuter assistance vouchers since inception of this popular program in 1997; and WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon all responsible pet owners to work toward humanely controlling the number of animals bom each year by spaying and neutering their dogs and cats which is proven to be effective in drastically reducing overpopulation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Redding hereby proclaims the month of February 2003 as "Spay & Neuter Month," and Tuesday, February 25, 2003, as "Spay Day," and urges the citizens of Redding to observe the day by having their dogs and cats spayed and neutered, or by sponsoring the spaying and neutering of another person's dog or cat through the Sponsor-A-Spay Program at Haven Humane Society. ! HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was introduced and read at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redding on the 21 s, day of January, 2003, and was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members: Mathena, NOES: Council Members: None ABSTAIN: Council Members: None ABSENT: Council Members: K±ght Pohlemeyer, Stegall and Cibula Co;nme 5trohmayer,-Cgy rh,/ FORM APPROVED: Brad L. Fuller, City Attorney