PUBLICITY KIT

Neuter or Spay Stamps

Overview

On September 20, 2002, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Neuter or Spay stamps. The self-adhesive 37-cent stamps will be available in panes of 20, featuring one design of a kitten and one design of a puppy, alternating across the sheet. The photographs of the kitten and puppy were taken of two young animals awaiting adoption in an animal shelter. Both are now in happy adoptive s. Additionally, the stamp selvage features a toll-free telephone number and a web site address for customers to obtain additional neuter and spay information. These stamps are part of the Postal Service's long-term commitment to raising awareness of important social issues. The Neuter or Spay stamps raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals to help prevent pet overpopulation and help avoid health and behavioral problems.

First Day and Local Events

The Neuter or Spay stamps will be issued at a first day of issue ceremony on September 20, 2002, in Denver, Colorado. The stamps will go on sale nationwide at all Post Offices after the 12:30 p.m. mountain daylight time ceremony. Because the primary goal of the stamps is to raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pets, you may want to schedule local events as soon as possible to get your communities involved and to build local partnerships. Animal health and welfare organizations and veterinarians will also receive information about the stamps and will be encouraged to partner with their local Post Offices.

Partnership

The Postal Service is joining with the American Partnership for Pets, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other animal health and welfare groups to promote the issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps. Together we have to end the tragedy of millions of otherwise-adoptable unwanted, less, and abandoned pets being euthanized each year. We all seek to define the issues, to increase public awareness of the problem, and to promote humane and responsible pet care.

The American Partnership for Pets, a program of the Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc. (PaLC), is an unprecedented team of influential animal health and welfare organizations that have united to maximize the impact of the stamps. The team has selected the Pets 911 public service as a call to local action.

Available by calling a toll-free and bilingual telephone number 888-pets911 or visiting www.pets911.com, this free public service is a single point of entry that connects community animal health and welfare organizations and services with the public. Pets 911 provides one central place to find community-specific information, searchable by ZIP Code, to encourage better care for pets nationwide.

Publicity Ideas to Interest the Media

There are many ways to generate local media interest in the Neuter or Spay stamps. Here are some methods to capture customer and media attention:

Stage a Kick-Off Event

Host an unveiling of the Neuter or Spay stamps, with the participation of local veterinarians, animal shelters, pet supply stores, and other animal services. This would be a great opportunity for an Adopt-A-Pet day. Many shelters have dogs and cats they bring to public places to encourage adoption of shelter animals, and members of the public have a chance to see the animals and sign up to adopt them.

Other Event Ideas

• Host a Neuter/Spay day. Encourage local veterinarians to participate.

• Sponsor an essay-writing contest with the local schools (perhaps limit it to one grade such as sixth grade) on the subject of "The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Your Pets." Have the postmaster, a local veterinarian, the director of the local animal shelter, and a teacher be the judges. Award a framed sheet of stamps or a blow-up of the stamps to the winner.

• Sponsor an essay-writing and picture-drawing contest with local grade schools on "What My Pet Means to Me." Hang some of the best essays and cutest drawings in the Post Office, local veterinarians' offices, and local animal shelter.

• Present framed enlargements of the new stamp to the local animal shelter and veterinarians. Encourage local political officials to attend the presentation to raise awareness of the issue within your community.

• Coordinate groups of children - children of postal employees, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, 4H Clubs, etc. - to write letters to shelter animals to be displayed on the Post Office bulletin board and published in the local paper, giving the animals hope that they will be adopted by loving families.

• Arrange for a pet health fun fair, where local veterinarians can have booths about the importance of spaying or neutering pets, pet dental health, pet vaccination, etc. The local shelter can display adoptable pets; and pet supply stores can sell or display pet foods, pet toys, and other cat- and dog-related items.

• Sponsor a pet show with local 4-H Clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc., with a special category and special prize for neutered and spayed pets.

Implement any of these ideas, combine them, or brainstorm with your employees and come up with ideas of your own. Be sure to publicize each and every event to your local newspaper, radio, and television stations via the press releases, media advisories, and letters to the media contained in this publicity kit. Don't forget to make follow-up phone calls. The American Partnership for Pets invites you to register your event on the special neuter/spay stamp section of the www.pets911.com web site.

Postal Service employees can find an electronic version of the Community Relations publicity kit for Neuter or Spay on the Postal Service Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov; click on References, then scroll down and click on Postmaster Toolkits. Select the .doc (MS Word) version to easily complete the fill-in-the-blank publicity materials included in this kit.

2002-2003 Companion Dog- and Cat-Related Observances

The Neuter or Spay stamps will be on sale for approximately 1 year or while supplies last. We would like to start raising awareness of the issue before the stamp is released, and then continue throughout the year. This calendar lists events that you may want to have in conjunction with Neuter or Spay stamp events.

The American Partnership for Pets will be heavily promoting the Neuter or Spay stamps for the first year that they are on sale. Information about their programs and promotional plans that may be helpful to you will be on these three web sites: www.pets911.com, www.palc.org, and www.americanpartnershipforpets.com.

February

Pet Dental Health Month, February
Sponsors: American Veterinary Medical Association,
American Dental Society, and Hill's Pet Nutrition
Telephone: 800-248-2862
Web site: www.petdental.com

Spay Day USA, Feb. 26, 2002
Sponsor: Doris Day Animal Foundation
Telephone: 202-546-1761
Web site: www.ddal.org

March

National Professional Pet Sitters Week, March 3-9, 2002
Sponsor: Pet Sitters International
Telephone: 336-983-9222
Web site: www.petsit.com

April

Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, April
Sponsor: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Telephone: 212-876-7700
Web site: www.aspca.org

Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week, April 14-20, 2002
Sponsor: Humane Society of the United States
Telephone: 202-452-1100
Web site: www.hsus.org/firststrike

May

Pledge to Use the Stamps Month, May 2003
Sponsor: American Partnership for Pets
Web site: www.americanpartnershipforpets.com

National Pet Week, May 5-11, 2002
Sponsors: American Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary, American Animal Hospital Association, North American Veterinary Technicians Association, and American Veterinary Medical Association
Telephone: 800-248-2862
Web site: www.avma.org

Be Kind to Animals Week, May 5-11, 2002
Sponsor: American Humane Association
Telephone: 800-227-4645
Web site: www.americanhumane.org

National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 19-25, 2002
Sponsor: Check with your local animal shelters and veterinarian associations. See also Postal Bulletin 22075 (5-2-02) for the Dog Bite Awareness publicity kit.

June

Adopt-a-Cat Month, June
Sponsor: American Humane Association
Telephone: 800-227-4645
Web site: www.americanhumane.org

Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, June
Sponsor: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Telephone: 212-876-7700
Web site: www.aspca.org

Take Your Dog to Work Day, June 21, 2002
Sponsor: Pet Sitters International
Telephone: 336-983-9222
Web site: www.petsit.com

September

Pet Memorial Day, Sept. 8, 2002
Sponsor: International Association of Pet Cemeteries
Telephone: 518-594-3000
Web site: www.iaopc.com

October

Adopt-a-Dog Month, October
Sponsor: American Humane Association
Telephone: 800-227-4645
Web site: www.americanhumane.org

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, October
Sponsor: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Telephone: 212-876-7700
Web site: www.aspca.org

Animal Welfare Week, Oct. 6-12, 2002
Sponsor: American Veterinary Medical Association
Telephone: 800-248-2862
Web site: www.avma.org

National Veterinary Technician Week, Oct. 13-19, 2002
Sponsor: North American Veterinary Technician
Association
Telephone: 765-742-2216
Web site: www.navta.net

National Feral Cat Day, Oct. 16, 2002
Sponsor: Alley Cat Allies
Telephone: 202-667-3740
Web site: www.alleycat.org

November

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, Nov. 3-9, 2002
Sponsor: Humane Society of the United States
Telephone: 202-452-1100
Web site: www.hsus.org

Event Planning Checklist

When planning Neuter or Spay stamp events, keep the following suggestions in mind:

• Begin planning immediately.

• Set a date.

• Secure participants (for example, postal employees who are interested in animals, head of the local animal shelter, veterinarians, local politicians).

• Order enlargements of the stamp image, flyers, and other supplies for the event.

• Prepare a pictorial cancellation from the approved design provided in this kit.

• Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.

• Plan signage, including a podium sign and banners.

• Launch a local publicity campaign using the materials in this kit.

• Draft a sequence-of-events agenda and remarks for speakers.

• Plan retail opportunities that encourage sales of the stamp.

• Prepare ceremony programs and invitations.

• Send news clippings to your area Public Affairs and Communications representative.

Stamp Artwork

To obtain stamp artwork, including color transparencies and enlargements, contact:

DAN TRACY
DODGE COLOR
4827 RUGBY AVE STE 100
BETHESDA MD 20814-3028
TELEPHONE: 301-656-0025

Please plan ahead and allow enough time for production and shipping.

Pictorial Cancellation

The Postal Service has authorized a pictorial cancellation design for field use to help spread awareness of the Neuter or Spay stamps. Post Offices planning events are encouraged to use the design depicted on this page. Offices can offer this cancellation through mail-back service for 30 days.

Remember that the Postal Service must endeavor to make all unusual postmarking services widely known to collectors through advance publicity to avoid limiting the availability of those postmarks. Therefore, all pictorial cancellations must be reported to Stamp Development 3 weeks prior to local events. Please use the announcement form on page 23 to report your use of the cancellation.

Guidelines for Finalizing Neuter or Spay Station Pictorial Cancellation Art

To finalize the Neuter or Spay Station pictorial cancellation art, insert the date and the city, state, and ZIP Code of the physical location of your event within the postmark circle. Refer to the unfinished and finished art on this page. Overall dimensions of the pictorial cancellation must not exceed 4 inches horizontally by 2 inches vertically. Collectors prefer the dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 1 inch.

Stamp Products

Postal Service Products

Set of two first day covers - $1.16

For information on how customers may purchase first day covers, call 800-stamp24 or visit www.usps.com.

Licensed Products

Arrangements for licensed products are in progress and more information will be published in the Postal Bulletin when available.

Suggested Public Relations Timeline

Note: If you have any questions or need assistance with any of these items, please contact your area's Public Affairs and Communications representative.

Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers

RALPH STEWART
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
EASTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 40593
PHILADELPHIA PA 19197-0593
215-931-5054

HELEN SKILLMAN AND DEBORAH YACKLEY
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
CAPITOL METRO US POSTAL SERVICE
10320 LITTLE PATUXENT PKWY STE 308
COLUMBIA MD 21044-5210
410-715-0070

DIANE TODD
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NY METRO AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 5114
NEW YORK NY 10199-9681
212-330-3118

DEBRA HAWKINS
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
6 GRIFFIN RD N
WINDSOR CT 06006-9876
860-285-7265

EARL C ARTIS JR
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
225 NORTH HUMPHREY BLVD
MEMPHIS TN 38166-0832
901-747-7544

JIM MRUK
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
GREAT LAKES AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
244 KNOLLWOOD DR 4TH FL
BLOOMINGDALE IL 60117-2208
630-539-6565

DAN DE MIGLIO
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
390 MAIN STREET STE 200
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-8000
415-536-6490

DAVID MAZER
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 364A
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9641
323-586-1212

CESTA AYERS JR.
(A) MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHWEST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7800 N STEMMONS FREEWAY STE 450
DALLAS TX 75247-4220
214-819-8710

SCOTT BUDNY
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WESTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
1745 STOUT ST STE 400
DENVER CO 80299-7500
303-313-5125

Neuter or Spay Fact Sheet

Neuter or Spay Stamps

• On December 11, 2001, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamps on the popular television game show The Price is Right with host and animal advocate Bob Barker.

• Two hundred million of these stamps will be printed.

• These stamps continue the Postal Service's long tradition of issuing social awareness stamps, such as the Breast Cancer Awareness, Prostate Cancer Awareness, Adoption, and Mentoring a Child stamps.

• Sally Andersen-Bruce took the photographs of a kitten and a puppy awaiting adoption in two Connecticut animal shelters.

• Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, was the designer and art director for the stamps.

• "For neuter/spay information, call 1-888-pets911 or visit www.pets911.com" is printed on the stamp selvage.

American Partnership for Pets

• American Partnership for Pets is a collaboration of animal health and welfare organizations.

• American Partnership for Pets is a program of the Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc. (www.palc.org).

• Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the tragedy of unwanted, less, and abandoned American pets resulting in the euthanasia of adoptable animals.

The Call for Action

• The American Partnership for Pets has chosen a call for action for the program: "For spay/neuter information call 1-888-pets911 or visit www.pets911.com".

• Available by calling a toll-free and bilingual telephone number 888-pets911 or visiting www.pets911.com, Pets 911 is a single point of entry that connects community animal health and welfare organizations and services with the public.

• The free public service Pets 911 provides one central place to find community-specific information (by ZIP Code) to encourage better care for pets nationwide.

U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics

Dogs

• Approximately 68 million dogs are owned in the United States.

• Four out of ten (or 40 million) U.S. households own at least one dog.

• Most owners have one dog (63 percent).

• About one-fourth (24 percent) of owners have two dogs.

• Thirteen percent of owners have three or more dogs.

• On average, owners have almost two (1.7) dogs.

• There are an equal number of male and female dogs owned in the United States.

• Twenty percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter.

• On average, dog owners spent $196 on veterinary- related expenses during the past 12 months.

• Seven of ten dogs owned in the United States are spayed or neutered.

Cats

• Approximately 73 million cats are owned in the United States.

• Three out of ten (or 34.7 million) U.S. households own at least one cat.

• One half of cat-owning households (49 percent) own one cat; the remaining households own two or more.

• There are an almost equal number of male and female cats owned in the United States (a slightly greater percentage - 51 percent - of owned cats are female).

• Twenty percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter.

• On average, cat owners spent $104 on veterinary-related expenses during the last 12 months.

• Eight of ten owned cats are spayed or neutered.

These statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2001-2002 National Pet Owners Survey.

Pet Overpopulation Statistics

• Number of cats and dogs that enter shelters each year: 8-10 million.

• Number of cats and dogs that shelters euthanize each year: 4-5 million.

• Number of cats and dogs that are adopted from shelters each year: 3-5 million.

• Numbers of cats and dogs that owners reclaim from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000, which is 15-30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters.

• Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25 percent.

• Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3.

• Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6.

• Number of cats that one female cat and her offspring could theoretically produce in 7 years: 420,000.

• Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2.

• Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10.

• Number of dogs that one female dog and her offspring could theoretically produce in 6 years: 67,000.

These statistics were compiled by the Humane Society of the United States.

Neuter or Spay Questions And Answers

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Spaying and neutering is good for your pet.

• Spaying and neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives.

• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially when your pet is spayed before her first heat.

• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of benign prostate disease.

Spaying and neutering pets is good for you.

• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat.

• Spaying and neutering can make pets better companions.

• Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark their territory with pungent urine.

• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of 6 to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of 6 to 7 days, 3 or more times a year, in cats. Female cats in heat can cry incessantly, and female dogs and cats in heat may appear nervous and may attract unwanted males.

• Neutering can make pets less likely to roam, run away, or get into fights.

• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those that have been spayed or neutered.

• Neutering may make dogs less likely to bite.

Spaying and neutering pets is good for the community.

• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.

• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.

• Stray pets and less animals may get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.

This information is from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States.

What is spaying?

A female dog or cat is spayed by surgically removing her ovaries and uterus. The surgery is technically referred to as ovariohysterectomy.

What is neutering?

Although neutering can apply to the sterilization surgery on both male and female animals, it is generally used to refer to the surgery on male animals, in contrast with spaying of females. A male dog or cat is neutered by surgically removing his testicles. The surgery is technically referred to as orchiectomy.

Don't these operations hurt?

Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. Spay and neuter surgeries are both performed under general anesthesia. Veterinarians will make pain relief medication available to the animals after their surgery as needed. Depending on the pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at the veterinarian's office for a few hours to a few days. Your pet will usually resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Won't my pet get fat and lazy if I neuter or spay him or her?

Veterinarians believe that spaying or neutering does not cause pets to get fat. Instead, most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.

Isn't it better to let my female dog or cat have one litter first?

Medical evidence suggests that the opposite is true. In fact, evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat tend to be healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as 8 weeks of age with no ill effects.

But my pet is a purebred, why shouldn't I breed him or her?

At least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country is a purebred. Breeding pets responsibly requires a large commitment of time and money. Unless you intend to breed your pet for a specific purpose and are willing to commit the time and money, your pet should be spayed or neutered.

But if I find good s for all the kittens or puppies, won't it be o.k.?

You may find s for all of your pet's litter. But then again, you may not, and those kittens or puppies may end up in a shelter. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.

Won't it cost me a lot to have my pet spayed or neutered?

The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of your pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. Whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost - a relatively small amount when compared to all of the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter. Two months of pregnancy and another 2 months until the litter is weaned can add up to high food costs and significant veterinary bills if complications develop. Most important, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the birth of more unwanted pets.

Many communities, animal shelters, and animal welfare organizations are willing to work with responsible pet owners who need financial assistance to provide reduced-cost spay and neuter surgery.

This information is from the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What became of the kitten pictured on the stamp?

The kitten was in an animal shelter in Connecticut when Sally Andersen-Bruce took her photograph. She was adopted by a loving family. She was picked out by a little girl who wanted a girl kitty and whose mother decided that they should go to the shelter to find a pet.

The kitten now has a Siamese cat and two miniature dachshunds as companions, but she rules the roost and has the entire household under her paw. She adores the little girl who picked her out and enjoys the rest of her family. She is very healthy and playful. She was spayed when she was adopted, in accordance with the adoption agreement from the shelter, and goes to the vet for her annual vaccinations.

What became of the puppy pictured on the stamp?

The puppy was in an animal shelter in Connecticut when Sally Andersen-Bruce took his photograph. He was adopted by a loving family. The boy who picked him out wanted somebody to play with, and especially wanted a Border collie because he was fascinated with how they can be taught to respond to hand signals. The boy's mother called around and was referred to the animal shelter where they found the puppy and his littermates. The puppy is 1/2 Australian shepherd, 1/4 collie, and 1/4 Border collie.

The clever puppy loves to play with his owner, who is teaching him how to play Frisbee. His family says he's a very smart dog and has learned many basic commands and hand signals. He loves to travel in the car and he goes hiking and camping with his family.

The family had another dog, a golden retriever named Shelby, who had cancer. Shortly after the puppy was adopted, Shelby had to have the first of three cancer surgeries. The family is positive that the puppy helped her perk up and make a rapid recovery from surgery. Shelby in turn did a lot to educate the puppy, teaching him important things such as how to squat and not to leave the yard. The puppy did a lot to enliven Shelby's last years. Sadly, Shelby died in her sleep just after Christmas 2001, age 11 1/2 years.

When the puppy was adopted, the family already had a young male cat that they found abandoned in their barn and had bottle raised from a very young age. The male cat and his canine companion love to play together and get along great. In fact, the family feels that the cat may think he's a dog, too. Since adopting the puppy, the family has now adopted three young cats from the same shelter from which they adopted him. All three cats are about 1 1/2 to 2 years old.

All of the family's cats and dogs have been spayed or neutered as required by the animal shelter's adoption agreement and all receive their annual vaccinations.

Social Awareness Stamps

Since the mid-1950s, the U.S. Postal Service has released a variety of social awareness stamps. Following are some of those stamps:

1970s

Anti-Pollution Issue (1970)
Woman Suffrage (1970)
Prevent Drug Abuse (1971)
CARE (1971)
Blood Donor (1971)
Wildlife Conservation Issue (1971)
Parent Teacher Association (1972)
Family Planning (1972)
Pharmacy (1972)
Energy Conservation (1974)
Preserve the Environment/EXPO (1974)
Retarded Children (1974)
International Women's Year (1975)
World Peace through Law (1975)
Energy Issue (1977)
Early Cancer Detection (1978)
Endangered Flora Issue (1979)
International Year of the Child (1979)
Seeing Eye Dogs (1979)

1980s

Education/Learning Never Ends (1980)
Organized Labor (1980)
Coral Reefs Issue (1980)
Alcoholism/You Can Beat It! (1981)
American Red Cross (1981)
International Year of the Disabled (1981)
Preservation of Wildlife Issue (1981)
Voluntarism (1983)
Physical Fitness (1983)
Crime Prevention (1984)
Soil and Water Conservation (1984)
International Youth Year Issue (1985)
Public Education (1985)
Help End Hunger (1985)
Winter Special Olympics (1985)
Public Hospitals (1986)
Girl Scouts (1987)

1990s

America's First Peacetime Draft (1991)
AIDS Awareness (1993)
American Sign Language Issue (1993)
Kids Care Earth Day Issue (1995)
Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (1995)
Women's Suffrage (1995)
Breast Cancer Awareness (1996)
Helping Children Learn (1997)
Women in Military Service (1997)
Breast Cancer Research semipostal (1998)
Organ & Tissue Donation (1998)
Hospice Care (1999)
Prostate Cancer Awareness (1999)

2000s

Adoption (2000)
Diabetes Awareness (2001)
Mentoring a Child (2002)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RADIO

[INSERT CITY] Post Office Invites Community to Celebrate Release of New
Neuter or Spay Stamp

[INSERT CITY] Do you love cats and dogs? Millions of other Americans love them, too! But every year millions of cats and dogs are given up to shelters or left to die on the streets. Most cats and dogs that die as a result of pet overpopulation - whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease, or neglect - are animals that probably would have made wonderful companions if given the chance. Despite the tremendous size of the problem, each of us has a key to the solution ... spaying and neutering our pets.

[INSERT NAME] invites everyone to [INSERT LOCATION] to participate in a celebration recognizing the importance of spaying and neutering cats and dogs on [INSERT DAY AND DATE] from [INSERT TIME] to [INSERT TIME].

The celebration includes participation by [INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATIONS OR CELEBRITIES] in the Postal Service's dedication ceremony for the new Neuter or Spay stamps, which feature a cute male puppy and female kitten, both adopted from shelters. And of course, the puppy was neutered and the kitten was spayed. Other activities include [DESCRIBE ACTIVITIES].

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

Neuter or Spay Postage Stamps to be Celebrated in [INSERT CITY]

[INSERT CITY] - Residents of [INSERT CITY] will have the opportunity on [INSERT DATE] to join the employees of the [INSERT CITY] Post Office in a celebration of the issuance of the Neuter or Spay postage stamps.

The Neuter or Spay stamp event will be held on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT LOCATION AND STREET ADDRESS]. The event is free and open to everyone.

"With these cute images of a cat and dog, we're calling attention to the critical need to help control pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering. We're also continuing the Postal Service's longstanding involvement in raising awareness of important social issues," said [INSERT NAME AND TITLE] of the Postal Service.

The Neuter or Spay stamps display a male puppy and a female kitten that were photographed in a Connecticut animal shelter while awaiting adoption. Each was subsequently neutered or spayed and adopted into a loving .

The release of the stamps on September 20, 2002, will mark the first issuance of a stamp featuring a pet cat and dog together since the popular 13-cent Puppy and Kitten stamp in 1982 and the Bright Eyes Issue in 1998. And this is the first U.S. postage stamp to call attention to the pressing issue of pet overpopulation. The issuance of the stamp is the culmination of a grassroots campaign by thousands of citizens, politicians, community leaders, animal-welfare organizations, veterinarians, and celebrities.

The photographs of the puppy and kitten were taken by Sally Andersen-Bruce. Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, was the designer and art director for the stamps.

The Postal Service is joining with American Partnership for Pets, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other animal health and welfare organizations to promote the issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps and awareness of the problem of pet overpopulation.

Go to www.usps.com/shop. Under "Collector's Corner," click on Release Schedule to see the Neuter or Spay stamps and other 2002 issues, or click on Stamp Issues to see images of many past and future stamps.

All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 800-STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store (www.usps.com/shop).

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

[INSERT CITY] Post Office Invites Community to Celebrate Release of
Neuter or Spay Stamps

WHAT: In honor of the issuance of the Neuter or Spay postage stamps, the [INSERT CITY] Post Office is hosting a community celebration. The event is free and open to everyone.

WHO: [INSERT NAMES AND TITLES OF EVENT PARTICIPANTS]

WHEN: [INSERT DATE AND TIME]

WHERE: [INSERT NAME OF LOCATION AND COMPLETE ADDRESS]

BACKGROUND: The Neuter or Spay stamps feature photographs of a cute kitten and puppy that were awaiting adoption in an animal shelter. These stamps are part of the Postal Service's long-term commitment to raising awareness of important social issues. The Neuter or Spay stamps will be very popular with people who love cats and dogs and will raise awareness of the importance of neutering companion animals to prevent pet overpopulation.

To see the Neuter or Spay stamps, go to www.usps.com/shop; under "Collector's Corner," click on Release Schedule.

To find local animal health and welfare organizations, please call 888-pets911 or visit www.pets911.com.

CONTACT: [INSERT YOUR NAME, OR THE NAME OF YOUR AREA PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER]

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

[INSERT CITY] Helps Postal Service Launch New Neuter or Spay Stamps

[INSERT CITY] - Residents of [INSERT CITY] today showed their love of cats and dogs and their concern for the overwhelming problem of pet overpopulation when they joined the U.S. Postal Service in a community celebration honoring the issuance of the Neuter or Spay postage stamps.

The self-adhesive 37-cent stamps feature one photograph of a kitten and one photograph of a puppy, alternating across the sheet.

The Neuter or Spay stamp event was held at the [INSERT CITY] Post Office and was one of many ceremonies that will be held across the country, saluting the issuance of the stamps and raising awareness of the issue of pet overpopulation.

"With these cute images of a cat and dog, we're calling attention to the critical need to control pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering. We're also continuing the Postal Service's longstanding involvement in raising awareness of important social issues," said [INSERT NAME AND TITLE] of the Postal Service.

Joining [INSERT LAST NAME OF POSTAL OFFICIAL] at the ceremony were [INSERT NAMES OF ANY OTHER NOTABLES].

The Neuter or Spay stamps are based on photographs of a puppy and a kitten that were in an animal shelter awaiting adoption. Both were later adopted into loving s.

Cats and dogs together have been featured on a few other U.S. postage stamps. A 13-cent stamp of a kitten and puppy playing in the snow was issued in 1982 for use on Christmas season postcards. In 1998, images of a cat and a dog were included in the "Bright Eyes" set of five pets. Images of cats and dogs are very popular in the United States, appearing on all kinds of art and utilitarian objects. Cats and dogs are also very popular pets. Approximately 68 million dogs and 73 million cats are owned in the United States.

The sweet regard of the kitten and puppy on the Neuter or Spay stamps gently hint at the serious issue of pet overpopulation that the stamps highlight. Every year, 8 to 10 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters, and of that number, between 4 and 5 million are euthanized. Most cats and dogs that die as a result of pet overpopulation - whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease, or neglect - are animals that would probably have made wonderful companions if given the chance. Although the problem seems overwhelming, each of us has a key to the solution by ensuring that we spay or neuter our companion animals.

The photographs of the puppy and kitten were taken by Sally Andersen-Bruce. Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, was the designer and art director for the stamps.

The Postal Service is joining with the American Partnership for Pets, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other animal health and welfare groups to promote the issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps.

You can find your local animal health and welfare organizations by calling 888-pets911 or visiting www.pets911.com.

Go to www.usps.com/shop. Under "Collector's Corner," click on Release Schedule to see the Neuter or Spay stamps and other 2002 issues, or click on Stamp Issues to see images of many past and future stamps.

All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 800-STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store.

# # #

Speech Segment

The following suggested speech segment is for use at local ceremonies and events. Feel free to customize it to fit your local event and community.

Good [INSERT "MORNING" / "AFTERNOON"].

It's a great honor for me to represent the United States Postal Service today as we dedicate the Neuter or Spay stamps. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our love for cats and dogs ... and our concern for pet overpopulation.

With these stamps, the Postal Service continues its long, proud tradition of raising awareness of important social issues. Recent stamps have raised awareness of such issues as breast cancer, adoption, organ and tissue donation, hospice care, prostate cancer, diabetes, and mentoring.

And with the Neuter or Spay stamps, the Postal Service draws on the warm feelings that cats and dogs evoke in people ... to raise the very serious issue of pet overpopulation.

Every year, 8 to 10 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters, and of that number, between 4 and 5 million are euthanized. Many cats or dogs that die as a result of pet overpopulation - whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease, or neglect - are animals that would probably have made someone a wonderful pet if given the chance. Although the problem is tragic and seems overwhelming, each of us has a key to the solution by ensuring that we spay or neuter our companion animals.

So please join us in helping to stamp out pet overpopulation ... and make sure that your cats and dogs are neutered or spayed.

Also, I'd like to put in a special plea on behalf of our delivery employees ... please make sure your dogs are restrained when your letter carrier arrives. Last year, over 3,100 postal employees were among the estimated 4.7 million Americans bitten by dogs. This is another problem that we can help solve by all working together.

Now, if [INSERT NAMES OF CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS] would join me in unveiling the Neuter or Spay stamps ...

I appreciate this opportunity to introduce these stamps to our customers and friends in this community. Thank you again for taking the time to join us here today.

# # #

Day after the event:

SAMPLE LETTER TO LOCAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR
THANKING COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT TITLE]

[INSERT NAME OF PUBLICATION]

[INSERT STREET ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

The employees of the [INSERT CITY NAME] Post Office wish to thank the citizens of [INSERT CITY NAME] for their enthusiasm and support in making yesterday's dedication of the Neuter or Spay postage stamps such a successful event for our community and for the U.S. Postal Service.

Our nation's commemorative stamp program has been developed over the past 100 years largely through the participation of the American people. Your stamp ideas and suggestions are instrumental in helping the Postal Service continue its long-standing tradition of helping to raise awareness of such social issues as adoption, breast cancer research, hospice care, and mentoring. And the issuance of these Neuter or Spay stamps is the culmination of a grassroots campaign by thousands of citizens, politicians, community leaders, animal-welfare organizations, veterinarians, and celebrities to raise awareness of pet overpopulation.

The issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps is a great opportunity for the Postal Service to remind citizens of [INSERT CITY NAME] of the importance of spaying and neutering their cats and dogs. Not only will this be an important first step in reducing pet overpopulation, it will also have many positive health and behavior benefits for the pets.

Whether by providing universal mail service to everyone, everywhere, every day, or through our responsibilities as a community leader, the Postal Service will continue to work hard to deliver quality communications services across the country and right here in [INSERT CITY NAME].

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Participation of Public Officials

Neuter or Spay stamp events are a perfect opportunity to involve elected officials in an important and positive local event. They are likely to take a keen interest in the event, as it provides elected representatives a chance to interact with constituents in a friendly civic setting with guaranteed media coverage. Events with dogs and cats are sure to offer superb photo opportunities.

You are encouraged to reach out directly to your federal, state, and local elected officials. Government Relations representatives are available to assist you in coordinating political involvement and would be pleased to help in any way.

This Neuter or Spay publicity kit contains basic guidelines, sample letters, and the names and telephone numbers of your Government Relations contacts.

Before the Event

• Send a written invitation 4 to 6 weeks before the event to your two U.S. senators, your congressional representative, your state governor, and the mayor of your community. Please include any other local elected officials you feel would be appropriate. The local postmaster or district manager should sign the invitations.

• Follow up on the written invitation with a telephone call to the elected official's scheduler within a week if you have not received a reply. You may need to call more than once.

• Keep in touch with all elected officials who respond. If asked, provide updated information to the elected official's staff as it becomes available (such as who else is participating, where and when to meet, what his or her role will be, etc.). Stress that remarks should be brief and limited to the unveiling of the Neuter or Spay stamps and recognition of the role of the U. S. Postal Service in raising awareness of important social issues.

• Include names of all participating elected officials on the "official program" as honored guests, and mention them in all media advisories.

• Provide a courtesy copy of the program to the elected official in advance.

After the Event

• Send a written thank-you letter to all elected officials who participated in the ceremony, expressing your appreciation.

• Provide copies of any newspaper articles about the event to their offices. Even though they might see those articles on their own, you can take the opportunity to remind them of the press coverage the event received.

• Provide a supply of extra cachets with the special cancellation, if applicable, to elected officials, even to those who could not attend. These make great give- aways and serve as a positive reminder of the event.

• Obtain and frame a photo of the elected official posing beside the stamp image and make an appointment to present it in person, if possible. A matted, well-framed photograph stands a good chance of being hung on the wall of the official's office, again serving as a positive reminder of the event.

• Keep in touch with your elected officials. Good relationships are built over time.

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SAMPLE INVITATION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT TITLE]

[INSERT ORGANIZATION]

[INSERT ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Attention: Scheduler

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

On behalf of the [INSERT NAME OF DISTRICT OR POST OFFICE] and the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to invite you to participate in the dedication of the Neuter or Spay postage stamps at [INSERT EXACT LOCATION] on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT TIME].

The Neuter or Spay stamps serve as a reminder to everyone of the problem of pet overpopulation ... as well as the simple and personal key that we all have to this problem, by spaying or neutering our pet cats and dogs. It is our hope that this stamp will help raise awareness of the problem and its solutions.

With the issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps, the Postal Service continues its long tradition of raising awareness of social issues. Stamps such as Breast Cancer Research, Adoption, Organ and Tissue Donation, and Mentoring a Child have helped stimulate conversation about these serious topics in communities across the country. These activities are part and parcel with the Postal Service's historic role as a community leader and responsible corporate citizen.

At the ceremony, you will be invited to speak briefly about the stamp and [INSERT SPECIFICS - OFFICIAL MAY WANT TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT HIS/HER OWN PET(S) AND THE ISSUE OF NEUTER/SPAY]. We plan a unique photo opportunity for the dedication and expect significant press coverage of the event.

We hope you will join us to recognize this important social issue. Please confirm your participation by calling [NAME OF CONTACT] at [TELEPHONE NUMBER] by [CUT-OFF DATE]. We look forward to having you join us at the event.

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT DISTRICT MANAGER OR POSTMASTER'S NAME]
["District Manager" or "Postmaster"]
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

SAMPLE THANK-YOU LETTER TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT TITLE]

[INSERT ORGANIZATION]

[INSERT ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

On behalf of the United States Postal Service, I want to thank you for joining us during our special ceremony dedicating the Neuter or Spay stamps. It was a wonderful event for [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY], and your participation helped make it a great success.

All of us in the Postal Service are extremely proud of the role our organization has played as a community leader and in raising awareness of such pressing social issues as diabetes, adoption, breast cancer research, hospice care, and mentoring through our commemorative stamp program. The Neuter or Spay stamp dedication ceremony was a wonderful way for us to share this pride with our friends, neighbors, children, and customers here in [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY]. I am enclosing 10 copies of our special pictorial cancellation [IF APPLICABLE] for you to share with your constituents, as well as copies of press clippings and photographs that recorded the event [IF APPLICABLE].

The Postal Service will continue to provide reliable, cost-effective service through the ongoing development of our world-class communications network. I look forward to working with you on future community events. If I can be of assistance with any postal matter, please contact me at [TELEPHONE NUMBER].

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT DISTRICT MANAGER OR POSTMASTER'S NAME]
["District Manager or "Postmaster"]
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Government Relations Contacts

We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. As you plan your events, please let us know.

- Community Relations,
Public Affairs and Communications, 5-30-02