Love is in the air

February is here and sweet Valentine is whispering songs of love in our ears. A funny four-legged version of this cherub visited with us at the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle and left this note to remind us of the beauty of cats and dogs: 

The top ten reasons why we love pets 

1.      Pets never complain about a bad hair day.

2.      Dogs are great walking buddies - and they won't even point out that you still haven't stopped smoking or     are still binging on sweets!

3.      Cats won't make you feel guilty for taking a nap- even better, they might join you!

4.      Pets remind us of the simple, yet delectable magic that is a patch of sunlight on the floor.

5.      Dogs never laugh at the way you throw a ball.

6.      Cats remind us that showing a little attitude is OK.

7.      You can tell all of your secrets to your pet - and you won't even mind if they repeat them to their best         friend.

8.      Dogs are great ice breakers when meeting new people on the street or in the park.

9.      Only cats can have a blast with everyday objects like a paper bag or a shoestring.

10. Pets control our mood and blood pressure much better than any drug, and the only side effect is sincere, unconditional love - a simple yet deep four-letter word for our four-legged friends. 

A great way to love pets 

Did you know that another way to love our pets is to have them spayed or neutered? 

February is Sterilization Month. It's also the beginning of the heat cycle for our pets. If you haven't already provided this surgery for your pet, please consider that it minimizes the risk of many diseases for them. It also improves their behaviour by making them less aggressive, less likely to roam and eliminates marking in and around the house. What's more, spaying or neutering your pet helps control pet overpopulation, which has reached an alarming rate in our region.

 If you choose not to sterilize your pet, please remember that kittens or puppies need to stay with their mother for at least 8 weeks, and that finding good homes for a litter of eight or ten young ones is not an easy task. As a matter of fact, this year again, the SPCA LL will probably have to turn away pet owners who bring in litters because, unfortunately, there isn't enough room for them at the shelter. 

Make sure you're a responsible pet owner: have your cat or dog spayed or neutered - it's a great way to love them!

 Love needs a home 

Is there enough love in our home for a new pet? Here are two lovely animals looking for a permanent home: 

Brutus is an adult lab mix with plenty of muscle and a heart of gold. He knows basic commands and enjoys the company of people. He also likes being around other dogs and cats. This dog needs an owner with an iron hand in a velvet glove, and a home with a yard providing him plenty of space to run. 

Triton has been with us at the SPCA LL since October 2006, when he was just a kitten. This beautiful, long haired cat loves to be groomed. These days, Triton feels rather sad because he's been waiting for so long for a loving family to welcome him in their home. Are you the one he's been waiting for? 

For more information about these pets or about sterilization, please contact our counsellors at the SPCA LL at (819) 326-4059. Our shelter is located at 355 Demontigny in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts and is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.