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According to the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized each year simply because they have no where to call home. In August, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic will open in Springfield. Organizers say it’s the first of its kind in Missouri. KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann has this report.
These barks come from the more than 60 dogs that currently reside at the Springfield Animal Control shelter, better known as the pound. Some of these dogs will find homes. Others will not be so fortunate. Randy Barntz is the supervisor of Springfield Animal Control. He says as many as 2000 dogs and cats end up being euthanized here each year. That is an average of almost six each day. However, these numbers do not include those euthanized at other shelters.
'Well it's obvious that what we're doing now isn't working. So there needs to be something else in place. The obvious solution is some type of spay and neuter program." said Barntz.
Mary Collette is spokesperson for Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation, or “SAAF”, and she could not agree more. Next month SAAF will open a low cost spay-neuter clinic in Springfield which will serve Greene and Christian counties. Collette says that this clinic was modeled after the first of its kind Humane Alliance clinic in Ashville, NC.
"I think that it's an important point to make that we are really a small part of the networks of Humane Alliance clinics. My understanding is that by the end of this year there will be over 100 of them in the United States. And this is the first Humane Alliance model clinic in the state of Missouri." Collette said.
Collette says that the program will provide spay and neuter services to individuals with low to moderate income who might otherwise not be able to afford such services. She said this concept is new.
"It's a high volume, low-cost, spay and neuter clinic. We will do a minimum of 35 surgerys a day. You can also bring feral cats. You can come check out a cage from us at no charge, and bring in feral cats which we will do for $15 dollars all day, everyday." said Collette.
Next Friday, July 30th, SAAF will hold a “sneak preview” fundraiser event to give the community a chance to see what is in store.
"We hope to be able to transform Springfield into a no-kill community by 2018. And this is kind of a 'comming attraction' to that. The main feature is of course the clinic, and you'll get to see the clinic [at the fundraiser]." added Collette.
Collette says the event will feature live entertainment, refreshments, and an opportunity to tour the facility. Tickets will be available for a $10 donation, and the event will last from 4 to 8 pm. You can find a link to more information about SAAF, the clinic, as well as how you can get involved below. For KSMU News, I’m Theresa Bettmann
Click here for SAAF
