Just because you missed the Humane Society of the United States Rural Area Veterinary Services’ free clinic in Suquamish this week doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the necessary steps to spay and neuter your pets as needed.

If you have no intention of breeding them, this surgery is the best thing you can do. Even so, it’s something very few pet owners take care of when they get a four-legged companion. Don’t think so?

Just pay a visit to the fine folks at the Kitsap Humane Society. Each year, the local center takes in 9,000 new pets. That’s 2,000 more cats, dogs and birds than there are Poulsbo residents. Quite a few to say the least.

While some of these unwanted animals come from folks who are moving or who can no longer care for them, the majority are strays or come from large litters that could have been averted.

Some of these pets find homes.

Others don’t and after a time are euthanized. Despite the hard facts, the trend continues every year.

On this note, we’d like to thank the tribe and RAVS for their pro-activeness in the North End. More efforts like theirs truly translates into a healthier society for all of us whether we have four legs or just two.