Spay/neuter program helps low-income animal owners

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

GREENFORD

Financial hardship sometimes stands between pet owners and their ability to spay or neuter their four-legged companions.

Angels for Animals has a program to help.

Through Ban the Big Bellies, in its fourth year, the shelter offers low-cost spay and neuter for the pets whose owners meet low-income requirements.

Anyone who is on Social Security, disability, food stamps or Medicare — or who is a veteran or within 200 percent of the poverty line — qualifies automatically for the discounted rate of $20 for cats and $40 for dogs. Others must provide proof of financial need.

“We’re a no-birth shelter,” said Diane Less, Angels’ director and co-founder.

Getting pets fixed reduces overpopulation, resulting in fewer unwanted animals. According to the agency’s website, more than 4 million homeless pets in the U.S. — about half the number of animals entering shelters each year — are euthanized.

A sign on the shelter wall reveals the numbers: Two unfixed cats producing two litters of three cats each per year can create 80 million cats during a 10-year period.

Two dogs can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.

The program is funded through private donations and fundraisers. Angels offers other programs, allowing people to fix their pets at a lower cost, but Less said Ban the Big Bellies is the most difficult for which to get funding.

“Some people think if you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have any,” she said. “But that’s just not reality.”

Some people don’t have much in their lives other than their pets, Less said.

A one-time procedure for that one animal can help eliminate more future problems. Pets that are spayed or neutered have fewer health and behavioral problems, cutting down on costs for their owners, she said.

“They’re easier for the people to take care of,” Less said.

The number of cat adoptions seems to indicate shelter efforts are paying off. Last year saw a record number of cat adoptions.

Feline manager Keith Novotak “did 166 adoptions in July,” Less said, adding that’s usually a slow month. “That’s an all-time record.”

Only 60 cats are on the adoption floor, compared with much higher numbers in previous years.

Novotak, who has help from an assistant manager and a volunteer assistant, said he talks to potential adopters to ensure the best match between cat and owners.

Applications for Ban the Big Bellies must be completed in person at the shelter during regular hours. Donations are accepted from groups or individuals who want to help low-income people pay for their pet’s operation.

Information is available by calling the shelter at 330-549-1111.

Lauren Potts, Angels’ outreach director, said a Bellies event also will help raise money for the effort. A beer tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 22 will be at Magic Tree Pub & Eatery, South Avenue, Boardman.

Only 100 tickets will be sold at $20 each. They’re available at the shelter during regular hours and at PetLodge USA, also in Boardman.

All spay and neuter operations will be completed this month at the shelter.

Less said the number of people served is only limited by funds raised or donated or days in the month when shelter veterinarians are available.

Last year, 494 pets were fixed during the program; 521 in 2013, 628 in 2012 and 181 in 2011. Less set 650 as this year’s goal.