February 28th marks World Spay Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering pets to reduce pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of animals are abandoned or euthanized because there are simply not enough homes to go around. Spaying and neutering helps reduce the number of unwanted litters, reducing the number of animals in shelters and on the streets.

The Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter is one of many shelters that need help with the overwhelming number of animals that come through their doors each year. Finding local vets to keep up with the demand for sterilization surgeries can be difficult, and this is where Nashville Humane’s Rover program comes in.

The Rover program supports partner shelters without on-site veterinary staff and has been a lifeline for many shelters, including the Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter.

As Jennifer Hutchinson-Tracy, the shelter’s executive director, explains, “Our shelter tries to get our adoptable animals spayed/neutered as soon as possible so that we don’t have to hold them in the shelter waiting for surgical appointments after adoption. The Rover team has always done an amazing job, and I am completely satisfied with the quality of care our animals have received with them. Their affordable fees more than justify the distance we have to travel to take advantage of their services.”

World Spay Day is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of spaying and neutering pets and to take action to support services like NHA’s Rover program. To learn more or give, just click the button below!