Over the last 3-1/2 decades or so, we have also helped local animal lovers to neuter and spay many thousands of feral (or "stray") cats and dogs.

We were one of the first such organizations in the United States, and have provided advice and assistance for numerous organizations around the country (and even a few groups in several other countries) to get started with their own neuter/spay programs.

Currently, we are helping 5 to 6 THOUSAND pets (and their families) a year, and have continued to accomplish all this on a shoestring budget with the help of dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of our friends.

Meanwhile, our friends over at the Northern Virginia SPCA have put forth an equally tireless (and often thankless) effort to help alleviate other kinds of suffering, working to rescue abused and homeless animals, to find homes — or to provide a home — for cats and dogs that had nowhere to go, except perhaps to an execution chamber at a local "shelter" ... or a slower death by starvation or violence in the streets and alleys of Northern Virginia.

Over the years, our paths have crossed many times, and each organization has referred cases to the other when there was a need to be met.

And each of us has always done our part to help in whatever way we could.

But lately though, both organizations have been under stress:

• An increasing need: More animals than ever who need our services;

• Rising costs: In the DC area, it takes more these days just to survive;

• Shortage of volunteers: Many good people have to work overtime now, and don't have as much time left to help as they used to;

And neither organization ever wants to get to the point where we have to turn away animals (and their humans) who need the services we provide.

There are nearly eight million animals euthanized yearly in America, because shelters can't find homes for them.

So it seemed almost inevitable that the two groups should combine forces and pool our resources. This "merger" will help each organization serve Northern Virginia's pet community in a more cost-effective manner, and each organization will be better able to do what we do best, and continue to be there for a long time, for you and your pets.

If you need to get your pet(s) neutered or spayed, you're at the right place. Just click the SPAY YOUR PET link (this one right here, or at the top or bottom of this page), fill out the form, and we'll help you get started.

To adopt a pet, or report animal cruelty, the SPCA of Northern Virginia website contains a wealth of information to serve those needs.

How about you? Want to help? If you like what WE do, we're looking for a few good animal lovers, and here are some things YOU can do:

1. VOLUNTEER! We can always use more help. Read through both websites, and get in touch with one of us.

2. PROVIDE A FOSTER HOME for an abandoned or abused dog or cat!

3. DONATE A VEHICLE! Get rid of that old clunker you don't need anymore, take a tax deduction and help the SPCA. See their website.

4 . MAKE A DONATION! Just a few dollars goes a long way to help out.

To earmark your donation to help support our neutering/spaying efforts, be sure to write "for Spay Inc." in the Memo line at the bottom of your check.

To earmark your donation for SPCA's rescue efforts, all you have to do is write the check and send it in.

And if you can, it's even better if you send TWO checks. Save you a stamp, too!

Thanks again for your continued generous support!

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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