Cedar Rapids Weather
Group Aims to Make Every Day a "Spay Day"By Mark Geary, Reporter
EASTERN IOWA – Veterinarians all over the country spayed and neutered animals on Tuesday as part of national “Spay Day.”
The goal is to keep the pet population under control by offering discounted rates for the procedure. But, some people in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area would like to make every day a spay day. A group of animal advocates from the Animal Resource Foundation and the Iowa Humane Alliance are in the process of fundraising for a facility that would offer discounted spay and neuter services. If they can raise enough money, it could ease crowding concerns at local shelters in the area. A few simple snips and stitches for your favorite furry friend will cost anywhere from one to three hundred dollars. "People can't afford that. Especially if they have multiple pets,” organizer Mary Blount said. Blount publicized "Spay Day" with a simple online post and a few flyers. In a matter of weeks, she received more than 800 calls. "I was overwhelmed. It really points to the need for low-cost spay and neutering in this area,” she said. Kathy Meyers had held off on surgery for her dogs because of the price. "I figured it was time to get 'em fixed,” Meyers said. The dogs' breeding habits taxed her time and money. "They had puppies. We had to feed them, take care of them, raise them and try to find homes for them,” she said. Now, she won't have to worry about any more puppies. But, controlling the pet population is only one benefit for animal owners. "The animals do live longer. They're healthier. They're less likely to run,” Blount said. Fewer puppies and kittens could also ease crowding concerns at local shelters. "We're spending a lot of money on shelters, but we're not getting on top of the problem,” Blount said. Even though the sterilization can be expensive, raising and caring for a litter comes with an even greater price tag. Organizers need to raise about $250,000 to open the discount spay and neuter clinic. They're confident they can do that, and plan to be up and running somewhere in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area by early next year. Some shelters, like the Cedar Valley Humane Society, spay and neuter animals before adopting them out to families. The cost for the procedure is also often included in the price to adopt animals from various shelters in the eastern Iowa area. More Good Stuff |
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