NOW... IT'S OFFICIAL!!

The United States Postal Service will be issuing PaLC's proposed Spay/Neuter

Your Pet Stamp as part of its U.S. Stamp Program for 2002, not as one stamp

but as TWO! The Neuter Your Pet Stamp will depict a dog while the Spay

Your Pet Stamp will depict a cat. The artwork, high quality photographs guaranteed

to wrench even the hardest of hearts, is slated to be unveiled to the public on

October 17th.

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-070

Postal Service Unveils 'Neuter or Spay' Postage Stamps On The Price Is Right

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Kirby and Samantha, a photogenic puppy and kitten,

will be featured on new First-Class Neuter or Spay commemorative postage stamps

unveiled yesterday by the U.S. Postal Service. The unveiling took place on the popular

game show The Price Is Right with host and animal advocate Bob Barker.

The segment of this show will air Tuesday, Dec. 11.

The Neuter or Spay stamps will be issued in Sept. 2002.

"These stamps will serve as a reminder of the importance of neutering or spaying our pets,"

said Cathy Caggiano, executive director, Stamp Services for the Postal Service.

"They will also serve as another way for the U.S. Postal Service to continue its tradition

of raising the public's awareness of social issues."

"Millions of people from across the nation, who have been working to solve the tragic

problem of animal overpopulation, will be delighted that the US Postal Service is issuing

these all-important stamps," said Barker. "I am honored to have the opportunity to

introduce these stamps to the nation on 'The Price Is Right.'"

The puppy, Kirby, and kitten, Samantha, featured on the stamp pane were adopted

from animal shelters and, according to the shelters' policies, were respectively neutered

and spayed. Both animals are enjoying life in Conn. with their adopting families.

An estimated 70,000 cats and dogs are born each day in the United States.

Animal shelters and veterinarians throughout the country urge pet owners to neuter

or spay their dogs and cats in order to combat the problem of animal overpopulation.

Neutering or spaying pets can lead to better health and longer lives.

Neutered male dogs and cats have a decreased chance of developing prostate disease.

They are also less likely to stray from home. Among female cats and dogs, spaying

decreases the rate of breast cancer. Spaying and neutering pets also helps to eliminate

many of the behavioral problems that result in animals being turned into shelters.

Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., was designer and art director for the stamps.

Photographs by Sally Andersen-Bruce of a neutered puppy and a spayed kitten

are featured on this pane of 20 Neuter or Spay stamps.

To see the Neuter or Spay stamps, go to the Postal Service Web site at

www.usps.com. Click on News and Events then Philatelic News, and locate

the online version of this press release. The stamps will be available in

September 2002. Images of many past and future stamp issues can be found

in the Collector's Corner of the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.

All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive

catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a

selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store.