City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release

Stillwater Public Library at 1107 S. Duck Street in Stillwater, Okla. For more information, call (405) 372-3633 or e-mail askalibrarian@stillwater.org or visit the library online at library.stillwater.org. Library programs are co-sponsored by KOSU 91.7 fm

Animal welfare community unites to hold Spay Day event at Stillwater Public Library Feb. 20

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Feb. 9, 2010) — Ever wonder how important it is to have a companion animal spayed or neutered? Answers may be found at Spay Day @ Stillwater Public Library on Feb. 20.

Designed for the whole family, Spay Day will include information from OSU veterinarian Lara Sypniewski, pet-education booths and family fun with Susan Phariss and her performing Wonder Dogs.

The Stillwater Animal Welfare Shelter, the library, the Humane Society of Stillwater, the Companion Animal Assistance Program and OSU’s Small Animal Clinic are all participating.

“So many of the Stillwater veterinarians and welfare groups provide wonderful opportunities for local pet owners to have their animals spayed or neutered,” Stillwater Animal Welfare Shelter Director Mary Dickey said. “Our partner groups wanted to have an event that teaches the community just why those spay and neutering opportunities are so important.”

Pharris will start the event at 1 p.m. with her standard poodles, Gracie and Sassy, who will do dog impressions, speak in different languages and perform in a Spay Day game show. Phariss and the Wonder Dogs have performed in 22 states entertaining elementary school audiences with their fun and games.

“I tried to train Gracie and Sassy to do the normal things like walk on a leash and regular tricks, but there’s nothing regular about these poodles,” Phariss said. “They have their own way of doing things and I just try not to get in the way.”

Following the performance, Dr. Sypniewski will provide information necessary for owners to make the decision have their pet spayed or neutered.

“The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 100,000 pets must be euthanized in Oklahoma every year due to pet overpopulation,” Dickey said. “It’s important to teach adults about spaying and neutering, but it’s even more important to begin pet education early with children so that they grow up knowing how to be responsible pet owners.”

Spay Day @ Stillwater Public Library is free and open to the public. Pet owners are asked to keep their pets at home.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.). For more information, call (405) 372-3633, e-mail at askalibrarian@stillwater.org or visit the web site at library.stillwater.org.  Library programming is funded by Friends of the Library and co-sponsored by KOSU.

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Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org