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PetSmart Charities(R) Funds Training Video Aimed at Reducing Homeless Pet Overpopulation

An educational video funded by PetSmart Charities will help reduce homeless-pet overpopulation by training veterinarians nationwide on how to perform spay/neuter surgeries on puppies and kittens as small as 2 pounds and as young as 6-8 weeks old.

The video, produced in partnership with Humane Alliance, is in interactive CD-ROM format and titled "Veterinary Seminars in Spay-Neuter Surgery: Pediatrics." It is available for free download at www.humanealliance.org. Groups can also order a copy for the cost of shipping and handling through the Web site.

"Spaying and neutering animals prior to sexual maturity prevents unintended litters and ensures numerous well-established health benefits for them," explained Dr. Brenda Griffin, adjunct associate professor of Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida and one of the collaborating veterinarians on this project. "In addition, performing these procedures at an early age offers the advantage of shorter surgical and recovery times."

Griffin, who is board-certified in small animal internal medicine, joined forces with two board-certified surgeons, Dr. Philip Bushby of Mississippi State University and Dr. Mark Bohling of the University of Tennessee, as well as Dr. Karla Brestle of the Humane Alliance National Spay/Neuter Response Team (NSNRT) on the project. The video was filmed at the NSNRT's state-of-the-art surgical training center in Asheville, N.C., where more than 23,000 sterilization surgeries are performed annually.

PetSmart Charities is a leader in the field of animal welfare education, and this partnership with Humane Alliance will go further toward reducing the homeless-pet population. Humane Alliance is the country's leading spay/neuter training center.

"PetSmart Charities has always been a strong advocate for spaying and neutering pets to reduce homeless-pet overpopulation and reduce euthanasia," said PetSmart Charities, Inc. Executive Director Susanna Della Maddalena. "Pediatric spay/neuter is critical to lowering the number of pets who face euthanasia in overcrowded shelters across the nation. This video will help educate veterinarians and animal-welfare organizations about the surgical procedure so they can begin putting it into practice, thereby reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kittens who enter shelters."

Additionally, animal-welfare organizations can view a free webinar by Dr. Griffin detailing the importance of pediatric spay/neuter and how to be part of the homeless-pet overpopulation solution. The webinar is available at www.petsmartcharities.org.

"The new video series will make training available to veterinarians and students around the world," Brestle said. "The first video demonstrates techniques designed to improve efficiency while maximizing patient comfort and safety."

"We are encouraging animal-welfare organizations to work with their shelter or partner veterinarians to let them know that this resource is now available," added Della Maddalena. "By spreading the word about the importance of early spay/neuter techniques, we can all help prevent homeless-pet overpopulation."

About PetSmart Charities
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided $110 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and, through its in-store adoption program, helped save the lives of more than 4 million pets. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its Vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.