Besides being the month of love, hearts, and roses, February is also Responsible Pet Owners Month. And although it’s the shortest month of the year — even in a leap year —it’s full of reminders about how best to care for our animal companions. The most important of all these reminders is about spay/neuter because you cannot be a responsible pet person without supporting spay/neuter.

I have to admit I feel sorry for people who have never loved a pet. For me, this relationship is just so incredibly precious. The affinity I feel for animals enriches my life in ways that surprise and move me. This unique relationship is called the “human-animal bond,” which the American Veterinary Medical Association defines as “a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors considered essential to the health and well-being of both.”

This definition might seem a little clinical, but by stressing the fact that it benefits both human and nonhuman animals it really hits home for me. I believe that being responsible for the animals in our lives is both a task and an honor. And the single most important thing we can do for all pets, our own and those around the world, is support spay/neuter in every way we can.

Do you know how fast cats can multiply?

So, it makes sense that besides being Responsible Pet Owner Month, February is also National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, with World Spay Day on February 27 (always the last Tuesday of February.) I’ve talked about this issue often, but I don’t think I could ever overemphasize its importance. After all, the only reason we have “no-kill” shelters is because, for decades, the only answer to pet overpopulation in the United States was euthanasia, which was usually performed in the most brutal ways. It makes me sick that the horrific gas chamber is still used in three states: Ohio, Missouri, and Wyoming. (If you live in those states, please advocate for the end of this barbaric practice. Utah banned it just last year.)

Today, of course, there are humane alternatives, but I know you’ll agree that no healthy pet should be put to death for lack of a home. Still, the fact remains that millions of animals enter shelters each year and there are simply too few adopters to meet the demand, and that is tragic!

Last week I did a Zoom call with a class of second graders to talk about my rescue work. One little boy asked me what happens when shelters get too full and have no room for more. It was heartbreaking to have to tell him what euthanasia means and how most municipal shelters still have to do this. You should have seen the horrified looks on the children’s faces. Educating children about spay/neuter is so very important.

Not only does spay/neuter prevent unwanted births, but it also provides many health and behavioral benefits. I realize I’m preaching to the choir and you’ve already done the right thing and “fixed” your pets. But your ability to affect change doesn’t end there. Last February I wrote a lot about what you can do to educate others about spay/neuter. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I’m going to, well…repeat myself! Here are a few ways you can save lives and spare animals great suffering:

• Use your social media to spread the word. We’ve never before had such a powerful tool at our disposal. Every time you post, include a spay/neuter message and make that message positive and respectful. It can be as simple as a hashtag. #spayneuter Or you could explain that spay/neuter is a safe, commonplace procedure. Say why you spayed/neutered your pets. Let people know that spay/neuter drastically reduces pet overpopulation, saves lives, prevents suffering, helps pets live longer, healthier lives, and reduces stresses on the environment while saving taxpayer dollars.
• Support local low-cost spay/neuter programs. Almost all communities offer programs to help people afford spay/neuter. When you visit North Shore Animal League America’s fantastic SpayUSA.org, you’ll discover a network of nearly 2,000 affordable programs and clinics nationwide. So, do some research and find out how you can help your local program. Many rely on volunteers to pass out flyers, visit schools, network through social media, and help coordinate appointments. And most also need donated items and financial support.

This baby can have babies of her own.

• Support local trap/neuter/vaccinate/return programs (TNVR). These programs help manage feral (“community”) felines. Volunteers humanely trap these cats, who live together in what we call colonies, and bring them to a veterinary clinic where they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and “ear-tipped,” to indicate they’re “fixed.” They’re then returned to the colony. While caring for these cats, volunteers often discover that many “ferals” are actually “friendlies,” strayed or dumped housecats who are ready for adoption. Like spay/neuter programs, TNVR groups need volunteers and donations. Animal League offers various kinds of support for TNVR efforts through their SpayUSA program, including how to get funding to support a feral colony in your area, the benefits of spay/neuter for your pet, and other frequently asked questions.The more you know, the more effective your advocacy will be. Plus, flyers like the ones in this blog are available in both English and Spanish to download, reproduce, and use for free.

As I’ve said before, kittens are beautiful little miracles. But can you have too much of a wonderful thing? Yes(!), especially when you consider that an estimated 70 million (!!!) cats never even see the inside of a warm, safe shelter, living outdoors in harsh conditions and contributing endlessly to the breeding cycle.

Let me tell you about a recent foster Klondike (right), a perfect example of why spay/neuter makes a difference. This gorgeous, friendly purebred Snowshoe kitty was found abandoned in a community colony. He was perfect but for one thing: “tomcat urine.” When an intact male cat reaches puberty, the super high levels of testosterone in his system make his urine smell absolutely awful, and most people can’t handle that smell in their homes. What do they do? They put the poor kitty outside. That’s probably what happened to Klondike. We had him neutered as soon as he joined my program, and just two weeks later, his urine no longer had that terrible scent and we found him a wonderful forever home. Another reason to neuter your male cat!

Klondike and another foster, Butterfly Kisses (left), a young British Shorthair, were found in the same community colony where they’d been callously dumped. Poor Butterfly was very shut down and could not trust anyone. But with time, patience, and Churu, she is coming out of her shell. Both Klondike and Butterfly are purebred kitties who were probably bought from breeders and then abandoned by their owners in the frigid New York weather. How cruel can one be?!

February is also National Cat Health Month and National Pet Health Dental Month. (I told you it was busy!) So let me introduce Mama Bleppy (mother of Bobby B.) who was found freezing and hungry and trapped in a sewer where she’d given birth. Sadly, Bobby B., found clinging to his mama, was the only survivor in her litter. Mama looks cute with little her tongue sticking out. However, it was obvious to me from the start that she had something wrong with her mouth. My vet confirmed that she needs a dental after her spay. Her time outdoors gave her rotting teeth and a lot of plaque.

Here’s another example: Not long ago, our dear Walter let us know he was in serious pain by “spraying” all over our house. We knew there was something medically wrong, so we took him to our vet. Because cats can’t talk, we note any behavior that’s out of the ordinary so we can figure out how to help. Sure enough, he had to have all of his teeth removed due to his poor diet with his previous family. After those extractions, he was a different cat — out of misery and so happy and comfortable, and no more spraying! Our blind Bella also had to have all of her rotting teeth removed. I have to say that both are much more comfortable without those painful, rotting teeth.

Finally, February is National Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. Bunnies are fabulous pets and so much fun, but a family must carefully consider their needs before bringing one home. Bunnies are a lot of work. Did you know bunnies poop up to 300 times a day!?! I sure didn’t, until now! Stephen is perfect with his litterbox habits, but Sunnybunny is only about 50 percent there, so I am cleaning little pellets of bunny poop every time I go into their room.

A FEW TIPS:

• Like dogs and cats, rabbits must be spayed/neutered, not only to prevent more rabbits but also to ensure a long and healthy life.
• Bunnies need space and exercise and should never be caged, which is inhumane. Before you consider adding bunnies to your life, make sure they’ll have a room of their own or a very spacious pen.
• Their teeth continue to grow every day, so they need things to chew on. They aren’t being naughty by chewing things; it is a necessity for their teeth. Their living quarters must be completely bunny-proofed or they will find chords and wires and wood to chomp on. Give them lots of toys and hard food pellets to chew.
• Bunnies require a diet of 85 percent hay, so they must always have hay available. They even eat hay and poop at the same time, so I make sure to put hay in their litter boxes. In addition, they need daily greens to remain healthy.
• Like cats and dogs, rabbits need annual vet checkups as well as regular nail trimming and brushing.
• If you want more information about house rabbits, I urge you to visit the San Diego House Rabbits Society at www.sandiegorabbits.org or @sandiegorabbits on IG. They have been absolutely wonderful and even spent time doing a Zoom course with volunteers and employees at NSALA to educate them for when we have rabbits admitted.

If you follow my IG, you know that I allow two of our cats, Cocomelon and Miss Petunia, to share space with Sunnybunny and Stephen. But do not assume that all bunnies and cats get along. Rabbits are prey for most cats! So this has to be figured out with slow intros and a lot of supervision to determine if your cats and rabbits are compatible.

But even when they’re good together, problems can arise. I recently had to separate Cocomelon and Stephen when I’m not around to supervise. Stephen is incessantly licking one spot on Coco’s back. I truly feel it’s the spot of her spinal injury. Animals are so intuitive. Coco and Stephen have a very connected, close relationship. I’ve applied topical cream on the raw spot, and it will heal soon. Now to figure out how to keep Stephen from continuing this behavior so I can let them be together all the time.

There are always challenges when you live with and love pets. It is a big, ongoing responsibility, although the joy and satisfaction they bring us day after day more than make it all worthwhile.

But one thing about Responsible Pet Owners Month bothers me, and that’s the term “pet owner.” No one owns another being…especially not cats! Our relationship with our pets is unique, so as much as “cat mom” is cute, it just doesn’t capture the essence of loving and caring for someone of another species. I wish I could think of a better term, especially when 97 percent of “pet owners” consider their pets to be family members, not property. Any ideas?

xo
Beth

P.S. February 18-24 is National Justice for Animals Week created by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The goal is to raise awareness of animal cruelty and explore ways to recognize, prevent, and prosecute it. If you’re like me, nothing makes you angrier than cruelty to animals and children. I hope you’ll take a moment this month to learn more and discover how you and organizations like ALDF can make a difference for abused animals. Thank you.