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veterinarians and representatives from animal shelters in Santa Clara County. In 2005, the coalition helped alter approximately 4,300 homeless cats through anon-lethal technique called TNR (trap, neuter and return). "TNR is a hugely cost effective, humane way of addressing the large number of cats dying each year," Benninger said. TNR reduces homeless cat populations by sterilizing cats so they cannot reproduce and it's cost effective for HSSV. She notes that it costs approximately $250 to pick up, house and eventually euthanize one homeless cat. For the same price, her shelter can spay or neuter five cats. How Everyone Benefits from Sterilizing Pets Because sterilized pets are at less risk of relinquishment to animal shelters (and possibly abandonment or loss), shelters will see fewer animals returned and fewer animals in general since fewer animals will reproduce. Communities will have more resources to help homeless, injured or abused animals. Animal shelters will gain respect for the good work they do and be seen as saving lives rather than ending lives due to the enormous pet overpopulation crisis. Animal shelters, health departments and elected officials will have fewer nuisance and complaint calls about homeless animals. Because sterilized pets are at less risk of relinquishment by owners to animal shelters, veterinarians keep clients and patients they might otherwise lose. Owners whose pets are sterilized before adoption will not have to worry about finding time to schedule their pet's surgery. There will not be an added surgical cost or the chance that their pet could become pregnant. Behaviors and medical problems and the costs associated with intact dogs and cats will be reduced or eliminated. The bond between people and their pets can reach its full potential when these problems don't exist. This makes pets part of the family and reduces the heartbreak to people of relinquishing their pets. Pets enrich our lives as partners, healers, therapists, teachers, heroes, and friends. They help teach children about responsibility, loyalty, empathy, and sharing, and provide unconditional love and facilitate social interactions. In addition, they promote feelings of well-being, provide purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and depression in all age groups. In addition to the emotional benefits pets bring to our lives, there are health benefds as well. Studies have shown that having a pet increases survival rates in groups of patients who have suffered from cardiac arrest and decreases blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. References Research presented at Alliance for Contraception in Cats 8 Dogs Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods for Pet Population Control, Alexandria, VA, November 2006. 6