July 24, 2006
Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana
P.O. Box 55917
Indianapolis, IN 46205-0917
CONTACT
Judy Harvey
317.767.7771 866.771.0358 (fax)
Spay Neuter Services of Indiana (SNSI) wants the public to know that animal overpopulation is a community generated problem and every community has a responsibility to work toward a solution. Proactive, targeted spay and neuter programs enhance public safety, reduce municipal animal control costs and support the growing societal opposition to euthanasia, by decreasing the surplus of unwanted dangerous dogs, stray dogs and cats roaming the streets of our city.
The problem with unsterilized animals:
• 70% of dogs bite cases nationally involve unsterilized male dogs.
• An unsterilized dog is more likely bite, act aggressively, bark excessively, and exhibit destructive behaviors.
• A dog is more likely to roam and become a stray if unsterilized.
• A female dog in heat will attract unsterilized male dogs which starts a pack.
Did you know?
• Nearly 20,000 animals were received in 2005 at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC), of these:
§ Approximately 6,800 stray dogs were received
§ Approximately 3,700 owner-surrendered dogs were received
§ Approximately 5,000 stray cats were received
§ Approximately 2,400 owner-surrendered cats were received
• Each month, approximately 230 pit bulls and pit bull mixes are received at IACC.
• For any of these animal subgroups, approximately 80-90% are unsterilized.
• $130-$150 is the average cost to impound, house and euthanize a dog or cat.
• The human cost – There is a psychological
toll to killing healthy animals. It takes a toll on shelter workers,
animal control officers and anyone who cares about animals.
Spay-Neuter Works:
Locally:
• In 2005, there were nearly 5,000 fewer animals euthanized at IACC and the Humane Society of Indianapolis combined as compared to 2000.
• In the first four months of 2006, there were 827 fewer euthanasia in both shelters combined as compared to the same four month period last year.
• These positive effects are due to the efforts of organizations in our community, who have focused on aggressive spay-neuter outreach into the low-income and crime-ridden neighborhoods of Indianapolis, neighborhoods that account for a disproportionate number of animals impounded by IACC.
There
are several low-cost spay/neuter services
available in Indianapolis. For a complete listing of resources
including contact information, download the Indianapolis Animal Outreach
Assistance from at http://www.spayneuterservices
Founded in 1977, Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana, Inc. is dedicated to help end pet overpopulation in Indiana by providing affordable options to spay-neuter surgeries. Centrally located in Indianapolis, SNSI consists of volunteers who work on behalf of the many unwanted and neglected animals in this state. SNSI is not a full service veterinary clinic nor a spay/neuter clinic. SNSI sponsors several different low-cost spay/neuter programs throughout the year. Surgeries are scheduled at participating clinics.