Gabriella Pyle

This photo submitted by Gabriella Pyle of Walnut Creek, Calif., pictured with her cat, Gomer, won the 2008 Spay Day USA Pet Photo Contest.

When: Officially the last Tuesday of February, with events and activities taking place throughout the month of February. The 15th annual Spay Day USA is Feb. 24, 2009.

Where: Across the United States and U.S. territories.

Why: About every eight seconds one cat or dog is euthanized in a U.S. shelter. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone's cat or dog got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100 percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats and a proven way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them. Learn more about why you should spay or neuter your pet.