HHS Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program

HHS provides low cost spay/neuter assistance for qualifying families.  HHS has 2 ways in which qualifying families can receive assistance.  The first is by using one of our local veterniarian clinics that participates with our program.  The second is using the mobile spay & neuter clinic that comes to the shelter every 2nd wednesday of the month.

Our next SNIP day will be on Wednesday, May 14th at 8:15am.  All interested parties must come to the shelter (Monday-Friday) and complete all the necessary paper work prior to that date to be guaranteed a surgery space.  Please call Tresie at 757-208-0399 to schedule a time to come and fill out the paper work.  Low cost vaccinations are available as well.

REQUIREMENTS for Low Cost Assistance:

I.  Applicant must bring the following at the time of applying:

1.  Proof of identification. (e.g. Virginia issued Driver's License or Identification)

2.  Proof of income.  (w-2 forms are preferred; if applicant is married, spouse's income information must be provided as well)

*approval for assistance is decided on a per case basis, please call and speak with Tresie for further details*

3.  Proof of residency.  (e.g. any utility bill addressed to applicant's current residence)

4.  Proof of pet's prior vaccines.  (if applicable, must furnish current rabies certificate and/or vaccine history from applicant's veterinarian)

5.  One time deposit for the surgery.  (cost ranges from $10-$80 depending upon the type, sex, and weight of the animal as well as your income and circumstances.  Vaccinations are not included in the deposit amount.  Cash or Visa/Mastercard is only accepted)

II.  Applicant will be required to complete the application and explain why the applicant is requesting low cost assistance.

Further details will be given when the applicant is filling out the application.

**Faxed, email, and or mailed applications are not accepted.  The applicant must come into the shelter, unless other arrangements have been approved.

Please contact the Spay/Neuter Coordinator- Tresie Smith for more details at 757-208-0399.

Early and Mandatory Spay or Neuter for Adopted Pets

by Dr. Stephen Kline

HHS policy stipulates that all adopted animals be spayed or neutered before they are allowed to go to their new home.  The purpose of that is clear-- sterilization is the single best humane weapon against pet overpopulation.  However, in many cases the puppies or kittens are very young when their big day comes.  Some people worry about the effect it will have on their young and seemingly delicate bodies.  The truth is that the benefits greatly outweigh the risks, both for the population as a whole and the individual animal.

Pet overpopulation translates directly into more unwanted and discarded lives and it poses a great challenge to those of us committed to animal welfare.  We know that there are many societal factors at work here so we do what is within our power to encourage spaying and neutering.  Owner compliance with those recommendations is a major hurdle.  In human medicine, for example, non-compliance rates are approximately 60% overall.  It is even more with animals.  That is among the best reasons for a strict policy on mandatory pre-ownership spaying and neutering.  Even if there was a non-compliance rate of only 5% it would greatly hinder our efforts at population control.  If it were left to a mere suggestion on our part, we would fail.  Most people mean well, but then again they don't always do what is best for themselves, either.

Many puppies and kittens are adopted at an early age.  The practice of spaying and neutering them at 8 weeks and older has been around for quite some time.  At that age, considerations must be made during the procedure regarding their warmth and blood sugar levels.  However, the surgeries are technically simpler than an adult animal so they are under anethesia for a fraction of the time.  They are often back at play hours after the operation and heal much faster than their adult counterparts.  There is no increased rate of death or any serious medical or behavioral condition associated with the surgery.  That is not to say that there is no controversy over the long-term effects of early age alterations.  While many professionals belive there are no long-term effects, others contend that some complications may develop a percentage of the time.  Recent studies demonstrate that the overall benefits outweigh the potential risks.*

Most readers of this newsletter know the tremendous benefits of spaying and neutering.*  It provides for healthier, safer pets.  Early-age alterations allow us to ensure that we do everything we can as a community to reduce the number of unwanted lives.  With the completion of the new shelter, HHS will have its own spay/neuter clinic.  It will be used for pre-ownership as well as financial need alterations.  We have received generous grants from PetSmart Charities and the Riverside Foundation as well as from private contributors to equip the new clinic.  We have been working diligently to ensure that it maintains the quality of care that this community demands so we may safely move forward in our struggle for the animals.

*See references and the list of benefits posted on HHS website.

Long-Term Risks and Benefits of Early-Age Gonadectomy in Dogs

J AM Vet Med Assoc 224[3]:380-387 Feb 1 '04

Female- Dogs

• Incidence of Mammary tumors- 95% less if spayed before 1st heat, 85% if before 2nd heat, no difference after 2-3 years
• Eliminates Ovarian cancer
• Eliminates uterine infections (pyometra)- chances greater as she ages w/out spay
• Eliminates "false" pregnancy as well as "real" pregnancy
• No heat cycle, biannual mess and behavior changes

Male-Dogs

• Eliminates Testicular cancer
• Reduces prostatic enlargement, infections by 90%
• Reduces perianal tumors
• Behavioral- less roaming, vehicular accidents, urine marking (inside and outside of the house) decreases inter-dog aggression.

Long-Term Risks and Benefits of Early-Age Gonadectomy in Cats

J AM Vet Med Assoc 224[3]:372-379 Feb 1'04

Female- Cats

• Similar to female dogs, erratic heat behavior gone

Male- Cats

• Reduces urine marking (spraying)
• Reduces urine odor
• Decreases cat fight injuries
• Decreases aggression and sexual behaviors

Additional Spay & Neuter Resources