SPAY/NEUTER STAMP MIRED IN BUREAUCRATIC MORASS: THE FIGHT IS ON
Despite receiving an estimated FIFTY THOUSAND requests, the United States Postal Service says it will NOT be issuing the "Stop Pet Overpopulation, Spay or Neuter Your Pet" commemorative stamp in 2000. The U.S. stamp program for 2000, which takes as its theme "Great Achievements and Great Achievers," features Warner Brothers cartoon characters Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner. Meanwhile the proposed SPAY/NEUTER stamp, which would bring national attention to the EIGHT MILLION homeless dogs and cats euthanized in animal shelters each year, languishes on the Postmaster General's desk.
The stamp remains "under consideration for future issuance," the same status it has occupied since October 1998. To add insult to injury, Postal officials still have not responded to last summer's Congressional sign-on letter. Co-sponsored by Reps. Ben Gilman (R-NY) and Tom Lantos (D-CA) and signed by FIFTY-THREE Members of Congress and U.S. Senators, the letter was
delivered to Postmaster Henderson on August 7th.
What can YOU do to reclaim your U.S. stamp program from the corporate executives and special interests?
(1) Call Postal Headquarters in Washington DC, (202) 268-2000, and ask to speak with Azeezaly Jaffer, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations, and/or James Tolbert, Manager of Stamp Services. Remind Messieurs Jaffer and Tolbert,
politely but firmly, that the SPAY/NEUTER stamp passed the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee in October 1998 and ask WHEN you can expect to see this life-saving message on a U.S. stamp.
(2) Write or fax your request to Postmaster Henderson (William J.
Henderson, Postmaster General, USPS, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW.,
Washington, DC 20260-2437; Fax: 202-268-5211). Tell Mr. Henderson that, like TENS OF THOUSANDS of Americans, you favor a SPAY/NEUTER stamp and ask WHEN he plans to issue it.
(3) Call your Representative in Congress and ask that he or she
call the Postal Service to determine an issuance date for the stamp. The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
For a free copy of PaLC's form letter and brochure, "Tips on STAMPING OUT Pet Overpopulation," contact: Hope C. Tarr, STAMP OUT Project Coordinator, P.O. Box 16486, Alexandria, VA 22302; 703-818-8009, ext. #1; [email protected]; www.palc.org. Mailed requests should include a self- addressed, standard size envelope with 55 cents postage.
Sample Letter
Dear Postmaster Henderson:
I am writing to add my plea to the TENS OF THOUSANDS of Americans who, over the past two and a half years, have written to request issuance of a commemorative stamp with "SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET" theme. As I'm sure you're aware, your Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee voted to place the proposal "under consideration for future issuance" back in October 1998. The decision of when--or if--the SPAY/NEUTER stamp will be issued rests with YOU.
Since September 1997, the CSAC has received an estimated FIFTY
THOUSAND requests for this stamp from Americans hailing from all fifty states and abroad. Supporters include such national figures as Senator Bob Dole, actresses Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White, and "Price is Right" host Bob Barker. The American Veterinary Medical Association endorsed the proposal in its president, Dr. Swanson's, March 15th letter to you. An additional 200 plus veterinary medical associations and colleges; humane groups; breed rescue groups; and philatelic clubs have sent letters of endorsement to the CSAC. Many
of these organizations also have publicized the proposal in their
membership publications and on their Internet websites. Just last August, fifty Members of Congress and three U.S. Senators signed a bipartisan petition urging you to issue the SPAY/NEUTER stamp in 2000.
The Postal Service's stamp selection criteria state that stamps must feature primarily American or American-related subjects. Pet overpopulation is, unfortunately, an American fact of life. Each year, approximately EIGHT MILLION dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters around the country. Another criterion for commemoration is that the featured theme be of broad national interest. An estimated sixty percent of American households include a dog or cat. Moreover, stamps depicting animals are vastly popular with children--a market the Postal Service seems to be actively cultivating.
A SPAY/NEUTER stamp would be a powerful tool in alleviating the
needless animal suffering, taxpayer cost, and public nuisance of
unwanted companion animals. Embraced by veterinarians, animal-lovers, non-animal lovers, and the vast majority of commercial breeders, the stamp is certain to be a best-seller.
I look forward to your reply and eagerly await the day when the
SPAY/NEUTER stamp will be on sale at my local post office.
