Today is World Spay Day, when we spread the word about this simple way to reduce pet overpopulation. But sometimes it's hard to get the public to pay attention to this not-so-sexy topic.

So some organizations have come up with outrageous (and often hilarious) videos to get the message across. Here are a few of our favorites. Watch them, then share this post to help us get the word out!


Katherine Heigl Hates Balls
Katherine Heigl created this edgy campaign for the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. According to the campaign's website, I Hate Balls was developed "to reach into all pet-friendly hearts and homes with one surgically direct mission -- fight the good fight against balls!" And it has. The video, released in fall 2011, has received over one million views on Funny or Die.

Allergies to pets are one of the most common reasons pets end up in shelters. And, while many pet parents agree that the enjoyment they get from their pets outweighs the annoyance of their allergies, living with a pet you're allergic to can affect both your lifestyle and your health. So if you suspect you might be allergic, get all the facts before you adopt.

Learn the symptoms of pet allergies. "If you experience symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose, runny nose, hives, cough, shortness of breath or chest tightness around pets, you may be allergic," says Deborah Pockross, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at Kenilworth Medical Associates in Illinois.

If you have any of those symptoms, Dr. Pockross suggests you make an appointment with an allergist to talk about allergy testing.

Get tested. You can get tested for allergies to dogs and cats, but also rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, horses, mice and rats. "There are two ways to evaluate for a pet allergy," says Dr. Pockross. "The preferred and statistically more sensitive test is the skin test. The skin is scratched with a device containing pet dander. The skin will react and become itchy and swollen like a mosquito bite at the site of the scratch within 15 to 20 minutes if the person is allergic."

The second method is a blood test, which can be just as effective at diagnosing an allergy, but needs to be sent out to a lab. Both tests are usually covered by insurance. However, no test is 100% reliable, so it's important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and medical history.

Here's another great lost-dog reunion story from our partner HomeAgain. You can help lost pets get home again: Sign up to receive lost pet alerts when a dog or cat goes missing in your area.

Pinto was stolen -- from Marrissa in Palmdale, CA
My mom works for High Desert Animal Care Hospital in Palmdale, CA. She had my dog [Pinto] microchipped by HomeAgain.

Someone stole Pinto over 2 years ago. I cried day and night. I eventually gave up hope in finding her.

On April 22, I got a weird number on my phone. They left a message, and it was HomeAgain! Apparently, a very nice lady by the name of Jewel in Playa Del Rey found my 2.5-lb Chihuahua and did the right thing by taking her to a vet to be scanned!

We drove over a 100 miles at 7 p.m. and got her. She didn't remember me at first, but then she did. I love her!

Thank you HomeAgain, Jewel, & High Desert Animal Care Hospital!

With shorter walks and less time outside, dogs can get stir crazy during the winter -- and boredom can lead to overeating, stress and destructive behavior.

But you can keep your dog's brain busy with these fun, easy boredom-busting games (also check out our fun ways to exercise your dog indoors):

Cup game (a.k.a. shell game): Place three upside-down cups in front of your dog. Let her see you put a treat under one of them, then let her tip the cup over to get to the snack. Repeat. Once she's got the hang of it, put the treat under the cup in a way that's hidden from your dog's view, so she has to sniff it out. (Watch It's Me or the Dog's Victoria Stilwell play this game.)

After the jump: Four more fun games!

Today the Westminster Dog Show opens and six "new" dog breeds will be competing for the first time.

These breeds -- American English Coonhound, Cesky Terrier, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Finnish Lapphund, Norwegian Lundehund and Xoloitzcuintle (a.k.a. Mexican Hairless) -- are old friends of Petfinder, and with the exception of the Cesky Terrier, all of them are available for adoption today. Meet them here!

English Coonhound
See adoptable English Coonhounds

American English Coonhounds were originally bred to hunt foxes during the day and raccoons at night. If you're considering adopting one, keep in mind that these athletes need regular exercise and activity!
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
See Entlebucher Mountain Dogs for adoption

This Swiss breed, related to the Bernese Mountain Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, traditionally herded cows in the Alps. Entlebuchers are smart and energetic and need lots of exercise -- and, ideally, a job!

Finnish Lapphund
See adoptable Finnish Lapphunds

These medium-sized dogs originated in the frigid Lapland region, where they herded reindeer. Thanks to their thick double coat, they shed seasonally and don't tolerate heat well.
Norwegian Lundehund
See adoptable Norwegian Lundehunds

This rare Spitz breed was first bred to hunt Puffins from steep cliffs. Its unique features include feet with six toes, ears that can fold forward and backward at will and an extremely flexible neck.
Xoloitzcuintle
See adoptable Xoloitzcuintles

The Xoloitzcuintle (sometimes spelled Xoloitzcuintli and pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee) can be traced back to the Aztecs. In Mexico, Xolos are thought to heal minor ailments such as toothaches and insomnia.

Here's another great lost-dog reunion story from our partner HomeAgain. You can help lost pets get home again: Sign up to receive lost pet alerts when a dog or cat goes missing in your area.

Tommy slipped out -- from Virginia in San Diego

Tommy slipped out unnoticed on March 21. We posted signs all over our neighborhood and at a couple of local vet hospitals and businesses. We checked the animal shelter a few times per week. But months passed and no sign of him.

We received a call from Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital this afternoon, stating that Tommy had been brought in for treatment to a wound on his leg. The man who brought him in said he had found him about two months ago. Since Tommy was a found cat, the vet scanned him for a microchip and immediately called HomeAgain to get our contact information.

We are so happy to be reunited with Tommy!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so we asked our Facebook fans, "Have you ever included your pet in a romantic gesture?" Your responses gave us some great ideas.

1. Send a message via your pet's collar. Christa W.'s sweetheart proposed this way. "My fiance had two dog tags made," she writes. "One said 'will you' and the other said 'marry me?' And when I looked back at him he was on one knee with the ring!"

2. Create a pet-themed custom present. Melissa M. says, "My fiance bought me a white-gold paw necklace with diamonds and my two dogs' names engraved on it." Check out No. 3 to see how it was delivered!

3. Have your pet give the gift. Melissa's fiance had her rescued Pit Bull bring the necklace to her with a card that read, "To Mommy, Love Bella and Reed." To do the same, teach your dog the "take it" command, using a small bag that can hold your present. Have your dog practice walking a few steps to you while holding the bag. To present the gift, have your dog take the present in another room, then ask your sweetheart to call your pet.

Plenty of Super Bowl ads featured dogs last night, but our favorite was Bud Light's "Rescue Dog." The spot features Weego, a real-life adopted dog who fetches Bud Light whenever anyone says, "Here, Weego!" (Or "Here we go.")

Even better, Bud Light has pledged to donate $1 to help the adoptable pets at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, CA, for every new "like" to Bud Light's Facebook page.

All week we've been showing off the all-rescue stars of this year's Puppy Bowl. (Check out the starting lineup, some of our favorite players and the pigs, kittens and bird of Puppy Bowl VIII.) Now, as the puppies take to the field on Animal Planet, we're giving everyone a virtual backstage pass.

After the jump, take a look at our behind-the-scenes photos and find out which puppy got adopted onsite by a Puppy Bowl staffer!

This Sunday, puppies from shelters and rescue groups will take the field for Animal Planet's eighth annual Puppy Bowl. (Meet some of our favorite players!)

But they won't be the only Petfinder alumni there. Five piggy pep squad members will squeal their delight, 20 kittens will play during halftime and Meep the Cockatiel will "tweet" the game from the stadium. (Follow @meepthebird on Twitter.)

Can't wait for Sunday? After the jump: a sneak preview of Puppy Bowl's kittens, pigs and bird -- some of whom are still adoptable!