Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, in collaboration with island veterinarians, announced this week that 55 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered on Whidbey Island.

World Spay Day, held Feb. 26, is an event presented by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International to shine a spotlight on spay/neuter as a proven means of saving animals’ lives. WAIF’s participation included paying for spay/neuter procedures for low-income qualified households to help reduce the local stray animal population on Whidbey Island.

Participating veterinarians were Animal Hospital By the Sea, Best Friend’s Veterinary Center, North Whidbey Veterinary Hospital, Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic, South Whidbey Animal Clinic, and Useless Bay Animal Clinic. The event was a success for both the animals and citizens of Whidbey Island.

Worldwide, organizations spayed or neutered over 57,000 animals helping reduce the number of unwanted strays in the overall pet population.

For more information about WAIF, visit www.waifanimals.org