Teaming up to Stamp out Pet Overpopulation

Both locally and nationally, pet overpopulation is a crisis that has people joining together to save lives. Every year millions of stray and unwanted pets are euthanized across our country because there are so many more animals than there are homes for them. The best chance these lost souls have is to be adopted from a local humane society, animal control facility or rescue group.

In an effort to help publicize the need for animal adoption, the Postal Service unveiled its “Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet” sheet of commemorative stamps. The set features photographs of 10 shelter pets adopted through the Animal Welfare Society of New Milford, Connecticut.

To help celebrate the sale of these stamps and the homes animals will find as a result, the Fifield and Butternut and Glidden Post Offices are hosting a supply drive in their lobby for Catkins Animal Rescue, the local rescue group for Price County and the surrounding area. In 2009 Catkins placed nearly 100 pets in new homes. These are animals that were left behind when people moved away or were evicted, animals that ran out of time at other overcrowded facilities, animals that were removed from neglectful situations or strays that concerned citizens wanted to see in good homes. Every animal that comes to Catkins is seen by a veterinarian and gets the necessary medical care before going up for adoption. Animals are sterilized, given age appropriate shots, tested for flea and tick born diseases and treated for any conditions discovered during their veterinary exam. All of this is done by volunteers and with funds and supplies generously donated by the community.

The Post Offices are helping Catkins in its mission to end pet overpopulation by posting a wish list of supplies for the animals in their lobbies. Supplies will be collected through the month of May, and the stamps commemorating the fight against pet overpopulation will be on sale into the summer.

For more information about the adoptable animals available at Catkins please visit: www.catkins.petfinder.com

For more information about the Animal Rescue stamps the impact they are having visit: www.usps.com