|
Spay/neuter services offered at low cost
October
23, 2008
In a community like ours, where thousands of animals need homes,
many people are surprised to learn this is not the case at some
shelters in the Northeast region of the United States. It's not
unusual to enter a shelter in Boston, for example, and have to sign
a waiting list to adopt an animal. That's why there are programs for
dogs from the South to be transported by volunteers to other parts
of the country, primarily the Northeast.
You won't often hear of transport programs for cats because cats
need homes in every part of the country. Cats often are invisible
members of the stray-animal population. Think of the times that
you've seen a cat dart across the street. Did you react or simply
accept it as a matter of course?
If you see a dog run across the street, you probably want to rescue
it, or, at the least, find its owner. Other reasons why cats often
run wild are that they are nocturnal, don't travel in packs and are
difficult to rescue or capture.
Truth is that unless we have our domesticated animal population
spayed and neutered, you will continue to see the number of unwanted
and homeless animals spiral out of control.
People often resist spaying and neutering due to myths, old wives
tales or cultural biases. One myth is that an altered pet will
become fat and lazy. But being sterilized has nothing to do with
that. It results from overfeeding and lack of exercise.
Many people claim they can't afford to spay or neuter their pets.
That's why animal welfare organizations are developing low-cost
spay/neuter programs to help combat animal overpopulation. The
Louisiana SPCA recently expanded its program so that it's accessible
to anyone. It's extremely affordable, vouchers are not required, you
can be a resident of any parish and households currently receiving
federal or state assistance and citizens older than 65 also qualify
for reduced fees. All that's required is a simple phone call to
504.368.5191, ext. 141, to schedule an appointment.
So spread the word. Consider it an animal rescue.
-
Gloria Dauphin
|
