Videos Help Spread Spay / Neuter Message

by Elijah Merrill

Rescue groups, animal shelters and individuals are turning to online videos to spread the word about the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. Some videos focus on health aspects, while others show how puppy mills add to the problem.

Behind some of these videos are two caring and creative types, Joey and his business partner, Jesse. After reading stats about the thousands of dogs and cats that are euthanized in shelters each day, they created HelpJoey.com, an online video site that teaches the importance of spaying and neutering cats and dogs.

The pair recently joined forces with the ASPCA.

"When I got the call from the ASPCA, I was so psyched and surprised," says Joey. "With the ASPCA in our corner, we'll be able to help so many dogs and cats."

Their efforts are similar to those of Best Friends Animal Society, which launched the Puppies Aren't Products campaign. Best Friends videos highlight the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats, and they focus on the overbreeding done at puppy mills. As part of the campaign, they hold peaceful demonstrations outside of pet shops that sell puppy-mill dogs. The goal is to build awareness about inhumane conditions in puppy mills and to encourage people to adopt rather than purchase pets.

There's even a Global Spay and Neuter campaign on Facebook that has over 1,700 members. Members share videos and posts about companion animal overpopulation and the billions that die globally every year due to euthanasia. One memorable slogan is: "Adopt, Not Shop."

Elijah Merrill is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Discover.

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