Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Advocates to Gather for Homeless Animals’ Day : Observance: Saturday event will call attention to the euthanizing of 12 million to 17 million dogs and cats each year.

A somber candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Saturday outside City Hall may evoke strong emotions among animal lovers here--but less reverent responses from others.

Santa Clarita is one of 12 cities statewide in which the third annual Homeless Animals’ Day will be observed, calling attention to the massive euthanizing of dogs and cats each year.

“The purpose is to finally get the (message) out (about) the killing of healthy dogs and cats because owners don’t get their animals spayed or neutered,” said Helen Jones, president of the International Society for Animal Rights.

About 12 million to 17 million healthy cats and dogs are killed annually in public and private animal shelters, according to the Pennsylvania-based group. Animal control officials are forced to put the animals to death because so many unwanted births occur.

“When there becomes too much of any life, it becomes expendable,” Jones said. “This was an issue people didn’t understand, didn’t know about. It has been one of the best-kept secrets.”

Homeless Animals’ Day observances will be held Saturday in more than 600 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Australia, Jones said. They include candlelight ceremonies and, in some instances, reading the names of the dead animals to the sound of a drum roll and weaving a chain of the animals’ collars.

Santa Clarita’s observance has been organized by the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of the Pet Assistance Foundation, a 25-member group that encourages spaying and neutering.

“Every year at this same time, various animal (rights) groups throughout the United States that have the time and energy are having these candlelight vigils,” said Charmaine Posten, a chapter member. “It’s a somber evening.”

The nationwide program is usually well-attended by animal lovers, but can be puzzling to those less fervent about dogs and cats.

“Once in a while, you get crank mail from people who say, ‘Why aren’t you doing something for people?’ ” Jones said. “I think we are all working together. We’re trying to stop suffering and death.”

About 100 people have attended each of Santa Clarita’s two prior vigils.

Four canine stars are scheduled to appear in Santa Clarita, including animal movie actors Benji and Bingo, Missy from “Beethoven’s 2nd” and Murray from the “Mad About You” television series.

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Certificates for grooming services, animal training and spaying and neutering will be distributed to those attending.

“The people in Santa Clarita are probably better than average about having their pets spayed and neutered,” Posten said. “We want kids growing up knowing that when they have a pet they need to do that.”

Santa Clarita Mayor George Pederson also plans to participate, possibly with his 1-year-old sheltie, Max.

“One of the tragedies of this society is how we treat our pets,” Pederson said. “I think that to have this vigil is a very important thing.”

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