May Day is a holiday that is celebrated on May 1 with maypole dancing, singing and other rites of spring. May 1 is also a red-letter day in Pike County because that’s the first day of the Humane Society of Pike County’s 2018 spay/neuter program, which is of benefit to all county residents who own dogs and cats that have not been spayed or neutered.

“Beginning May 1, the Humane Society of Pike County will once again allocate funds for its spay/neuter program,” said Donna Brockmann, humane society president. “This spring we will allocate $20,000 to the program. That’s $4,000 to each of the five veterinary practices in the county so pet owners may take their animals to any of the veterinarians and receive the same monetary benefits.”

Brockmann said the Humane Society of Pike County will pay the first $50 of any procedure during the program time or until the clinic’s funds are depleted.

“The funds that our humane society has allocated will pay for procedures for about 400 animals,” she said. “Citizens of Pike County and students at Troy University are encouraged to make use of the spay/neuter program if needed.

“The primary benefit of the spay/neuter program is overpopulation control,” Brockman said. “There are way too many unwanted animals in Pike County and not enough people to love them. Other important benefits are that animals that have been spayed/neutered tend to live longer and healthier lives. Those are three excellent and humane reasons to have animals participate in the program.”

Brockmann said it is sad that so many dogs and cats are abandoned, neglected and abused.

“By spaying and neutering dogs and cats, we have fewer unwanted animals,” she said. “Those rather simple procedures greatly reduce the number of animals that are left to suffer.”

The Humane Society of Pike County’s annual Pet Photo Contest provides the primary financial support for the spay/neuter program. “Be sure your animal(s) participate.”

“The Pet Photo Contest will get kick off in June and we would like to encourage more participation in the contest,” Brockmann said. “It’s a great way for pet owners to show love for their pets while helping raise funds for the Human Society of Pike County’s spay/neuter program. And, the contest is a lot of fun.”

Spring is a good time for great outdoor pet photos, so Brockmann said get out those cameras and iPhones and get that special photo for the Pet Photo contest.

The Pet Photo Contest also provides funding for the humane society’s feral cat and Friends in Need programs.