AVMA gives its approval of stamp

A kitten and puppy awaiting new homes while in an animal shelter are the models for a 2002 Spay/Neuter Stamp the U.S. Postal Service will formally issue on Sept. 20, 2002.

The Executive Board approved AVMA endorsement of this stamp, created by the Postal Service in cooperation with the Prevent a Litter Coalition and the American Partnership for Pets. An unveiling of the stamp is scheduled for the July 13 General Session at the AVMA Annual Convention in Nashville. Information will be available at the AVMA booth during the convention.

The Postal Service creates issue-specific stamps to raise awareness of important societal concerns. By issuing spay/neuter stamps, the USPS is doing its part to promote humane and responsible pet care and to provide a forum for effective collaboration among those who share those goals.

In a June 3 letter to Postmaster General John E. Potter, AVMA President James H. Brandt wrote: "To support this campaign, the AVMA will be pleased to work with the USPS and its partners in the development and review of appropriate related responsible ownership messages."

The stamps were first unveiled Dec. 11, 2001 on "The Price Is Right" TV show hosted by Bob Barker. Several other unveilings are scheduled before the stamps are issued this September.

The self-adhesive, 37-cent stamps will be available in panes of 20, featuring one design of the kitten and one design of the puppy, alternating across sheets.

Usually 80 million stamps are issued, but because of the degree of interest in this stamp, the quantity was bumped up to 125 million and then to 200 million.

There's a happy ending to the story for the two shelter animals pictured on the stamps. The kitten and puppy have since gone to new homes.