HSVMA Sponsors Madison, Wis. Spay Day Event

February 21, 2011

In addition to learning how to spay and neuter cats, students participating in Wisconsin's Spay Day event also gave each patient a wellness exam.
Amber Arnold

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association recently sponsored a Spay Day 2011 event at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) that provided spay/neuter services for more than 80 free-roaming cats from the Madison, Wis. community. The event also provided valuable training opportunities for veterinary students from the University of Wisconsin and veterinary technician students from MATC.

The event was hosted on Saturday, Feb. 12, by Dane County Friends of Ferals, a local nonprofit that focuses on helping free-roaming cats, and Madison Area Technical College. With almost a 1:1 ratio of veterinary professionals working with veterinary students and veterinary technician students, the event aimed to provide students with a high level of instruction in spay/neuter surgeries, while providing a critical service to the Madison area. The clinic also embraced the Valentine’s Day theme with a love song playlist and famous couples naming contest for the cats.

“What makes these HSVMA events so special is that they are supporting the education of veterinary students and veterinary technician students in a way that benefits both the animals and the community,” said Dr. Susan Krebsbach, an HSVMA veterinary consultant who helped coordinate the Wisconsin event.

HSVMA sponsored a similar event in Corvallis, Ore., at which veterinary students from Oregon State University helped prepare approximately 100 free-roaming cats for spay and neuter surgeries.

One of HSVMA's primary goals is to improve veterinary students’ access to beneficial surgical training through direct care opportunities, educational workshops, and advocacy initiatives. Last year, HSVMA Field Services clinics helped train more than 200 veterinary students while providing no-cost care to over 8,300 animals in remote areas across the U.S. and abroad.

Spay Day is an annual campaign by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International which is designed to highlight the importance of saving animal lives by spaying or neutering. Read more about ways you can get involved.