Guest Blog by Essie Petrovich
Sadly, the euthanasia rate of cats and dogs in shelters has been creeping up since spay/neuter services were put on hold during the COVID-19 crisis. As someone who has volunteered since 1981 for the spay/neuter cause, my frustration is at an all-time high. While many dedicated organizations spay or neuter thousands of cats and dogs, it's not enough. Our country is currently experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, as well as a lack of affordable, accessible spay/neuter services.
Finding money to support the spay/neuter mission has always been a challenge. However, there is now an eye-catching and adorable way to meet this challenge—by purchasing Pennsylvania Spay/Neuter license plates! These plates serve a two-fold purpose. First, to spread the message that “SPAY/NEUTER SAVES LIVES,” which is prominently displayed across the bottom of the plate. Second, to raise critical funds for spay/neuter. Proceeds from the sale of each plate will be used solely to finance surgeries for the pets of those who cannot afford to pay themselves.
Since the plates became available for sale in early December 2023, nearly 100 have been sold. The goal is to have 10,000 vehicles across the state sporting one of these special plates with its lifesaving spay/neuter message. Please help Pennsylvania’s pets by purchasing a plate for yourself, and by spreading the word to friends and family. Plates are available now at www.snapofpa.org!.
Essie has been a spay/neuter advocate since joining Spay Neuter Assistance Program in 1981, the year the organization was founded. She has served as President of SNAP for over 20 years. She is also Assistant Director of Loving Care Cat Rescue and Founder of PA Animal Network (PAWN) in 2011 which is an organization of Central PA groups and rescues that work together on animal legislation and through combined resources support each other. After a long professional career, she added “rescue” to her volunteer workload and has continued in both capacities with no end in sight.
