(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Katherine Heigl has donated $1 million to help animals in Los Angeles.

The actress announced yesterday that she was giving the impressive sum to a programme which helps to control the pet population in the US city through spaying and neutering.

The money will be used by the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation and will also go towards training and obedience initiatives, rescue organisations and no kill shelters.

Whats happening is not only inhumane and morally reprehensible, its economically irresponsible, Katherine said. Killing is not a solution.

The foundation also promotes pet adoption and provides transport to help move animals to more humane shelters.

It has been claimed around 500,000 animals live in shelters and are euthanized each year in California, costing the state an estimated $250 million.

Most people are unaware of whats happening. We can start to change the existing paradigm, Katherine insisted. "Our goal is that people can actually go to an animal shelter and not feel this horrible sadness and burden that if they don't take that dog home that the dog may end up dead. The idea is that eventually it won't be so hard to say no because you know that these animals are actually in a safe place, in a shelter that is not going to euthanize them for space or room for the next batch coming in." (C) Cover Media