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3 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> SPAY NEUTER DAY PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, cats and dogs provide companionship to and share the homes of thousands of individuals <br /> in Orange County; and <br /> WHEREAS, an increasing lack of access to veterinary care affects millions of pet owners in the United <br /> States and thousands of pet owners in Orange County; and <br /> WHEREAS, the problem of pet overpopulation costs the taxpayers of Orange County hundreds of <br /> thousands of dollars annually through animal control and sheltering programs aimed at managing <br /> unwanted and homeless cats and dogs; and <br /> WHEREAS, humane societies and shelters throughout the country euthanize hundreds of thousands <br /> of cats and dogs each year, many of which are healthy and adoptable, due to the lack of critical <br /> resources such as money, space, and adoptive homes; and <br /> WHEREAS, Animal Services and the Animal Services Advisory Board have made correcting pet <br /> overpopulation and providing access to care a priority; and <br /> WHEREAS, spaying and neutering cats and dog has been shown to drastically reduce pet <br /> overpopulation; and <br /> WHEREAS, Animal Services is working with community partners and veterinary professionals to offer <br /> no-cost spay and neuter resources to households who are financially vulnerable or who receive public <br /> assistance; and <br /> WHEREAS, Animal Services now has a community animal clinic providing low-cost or no-cost spay <br /> and neuter services for pets in our community; and <br /> WHEREAS, Animal Services is collaborating with Independent Animal Rescue and other community <br /> partners to proactively and humanely manage and improve quality of life for community cats through <br /> sterilization and vaccination; and <br /> WHEREAS, veterinarians, animal care and control organizations, national and local animal welfare <br /> organizations, and private individuals have joined together again this year to advocate and support the <br /> spaying and neutering of companion animals on "World Spay Day 2026;" <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, proclaim February 24, 2026, <br /> as "Spay Neuter Day" and call upon the people of the County to observe the day by having their own <br /> cats or dogs spayed or neutered or by sponsoring the spaying or neutering of another person's cat or <br /> dog. <br /> THIS THE 17th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026. <br /> Jean Hamilton, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />