ASPCA Announces Additional Days for "Operation Pit"

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it will be extending its “Operation Pit” program to every weekday at the ASPCA Animal Hospital in Manhattan. The program, which offers free spay/neuter surgeries to all healthy pit bulls and pit bull mixes between the ages of three months and six years living in the five boroughs, along with free vaccinations and micro-chipping, had previously been offered every Tuesday and Thursday.

Since its launch on July 15, 2010, nearly 800 surgeries have been performed through “Operation Pit.” “We are extremely pleased by the success that we’ve had thus far and the continued demand for these services,” said Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of the ASPCA Animal Hospital. “We are committed to enhancing the health and well-being of pit bulls and pit bull mixes in New York City and are excited to extend ‘Operation Pit’ to support this objective.”

In addition to a free spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations and micro-chipping, dogs that have the surgery will also receive free K9 camouflage “doggie gear” and a post-operative “honorable discharge” for completing the mission.

Outside of “Operation Pit,” pit bulls and pit bull mixes make up a very small percentage of dogs that are brought in for routine spay/neuter procedures at the ASPCA Animal Hospital. Pit bulls also have large litters compared to other breeds and they make up a vast majority of homeless dogs found in city shelters.

More than 50,000 homeless pets enter city shelters each year. Reducing this number depends on increasing adoptions and decreasing overpopulation. The ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics spayed and neutered close to 30,000 cats and dogs in 2010 and nearly that many so far in 2011. However, the majority of dogs that are still euthanized due to lack of homes are pit bulls and pit bull mixes. With programs such as “Operation Pit” the ASPCA hopes to reduce this number.

All appointments for “Operation Pit” must be scheduled prior to the surgery date. All procedures are completed the same day, and owners can drop off and pick up their pets at scheduled times. Owners and their dogs must reside in one of the five boroughs in order to be eligible for “Operation Pit.” For more information and to schedule an appointment, owners can call the ASPCA Animal Hospital at 877-900-PITS (7487). Details can also be found online at www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/operation-pit.aspx.

Appointments can also be scheduled for select Sundays at the ASPCA’s spay/neuter clinic in Glendale, Queens by calling the number above.