Humane Society celebrates issuance of new postal stamp

Celebrating a new postal stamp (from left) are Dr. Candace Mohr of Four Winds Animal Clinic, Marilyn Cuellar, Sandy Morris and Amy Strauch of the McCook Humane Society, and Postmaster Lynn A. Bargen.

An exciting way to raise awareness of the benefits of spaying and neutering companion animals is right around the corner. On Sept. 20, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a series of two new 37-cent first-class Spay/Neuter Stamps that feature Kirby the puppy and Samantha the kitten, both homeless shelter animals that were adopted into loving homes. The stamps will be available for sale in post offices nationwide.

More than 20 national leading animal health and welfare organizations and countless community organizations, including the McCook Humane Society, have united to maximize the impact of the stamp's spay/neuter message. The American Partnership for Pets will be working alongside the USPS to spread awareness of the health, behavioral, and societal benefits of spay/neuter to create a nation of no more unwanted and homeless pets.

The McCook Humane Society care for approximately 1,300 unwanted and stray pets each year.

There are simply not enough loving homes for all the unwanted dogs and cats that are brought to our shelter. Additionally, spaying and neutering helps address some of the behavioral issues that may result in animals being given up.

"If more pets were spayed or neutered, our facility would see a significant decrease in the number of unwanted pets in this community, says Sandy Morris, shelter manager.

"We should like to thank the U.S. Postal service for issuing these important social awareness stamps.

The stamps will not only help raise awareness, but will also direct the public to a free public service.

Pets 911. By entering their zip code into Pets 911's toll-free bilingual phone system or web site, the public can locate local veterinarians and spay/neuter services.

The release of the stamps on Sept. 20, will mark the first issuance of a stamp featuring a pet cat or dog together since the popular 13-cent stamp of a kitten and puppy in 1982 and the "Bright Eyes" stamp in 1998.

This is the first U.S. postage stamp to call attention to the tragic issue of pet overpopulation.

The issuance of the stamp is the culmination of a grassroots campaign by thousands of citizens, politicians, community leaders, animal welfare organizations, veterinarians and celebrities.