Community Cat Campaign Runs

During the month of April, the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley will offer no-cost spay and neuter surgeries, plus free rabies vaccinations as part of “Community Cat,” PetSmart Charities’ spay/neuter campaign to alter free-roaming cats. Spaying and neutering 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 cat 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 the cats they’re feeding get pregnant over and over again, so our Community Cat campaign will serve as a gentle reminder to caretakers of free-roaming cat colonies to catch and sterilize their cats.” This special free rate is available to all residents of the Inland Empire. Residents feeding free-roaming cats who wish to take advantage of this offer must mention the “Community Cat” campaign when scheduling their appointment. Appointments are based on availability. For more information or to schedule an appointment, interested persons should visit www.hssbv.org or call 909-386-1400. PetSmart Charities’ “Community Cat” campaign will provide $634,692 to spay/neuter clinics across the United States to fund affordable, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for 13,713 free-roaming cats during the month of April.