Resources available for low or no-cost spay and neuter clinics for pets | Barb Horton

I’ve written for The Reporter a few times before, but I realized that I need to do a better job of communicating with our community, because too many people are not aware of the low to no-cost options that are available to spay/neuter cats and dogs.

By Barb Horton • October 29, 2010 6:45 pm

I’ve written for The Reporter a few times before, but I realized that I need to do a better job of communicating with our community, because too many people are not aware of the low to no-cost options that are available to spay/neuter cats and dogs.

We are at the time of the year where breeding season is winding down for cats and dogs.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the humans go on vacation during the animal’s most productive months, so every kill and no kill shelter in King County is absolutely stuffed to the gills with highly adoptable dogs and cats. This is not an “animal” problem, it’s an irresponsible human problem.  

Here are a couple of real life, out-of-control breeding examples that mushroomed into community misery. 

Someone goes and gets a cute kitten for their kids to enjoy as a baby and it runs away.  That young adult kitten didn’t run away. The adult in the household tossed the no longer cute kitten in a school yard and lied to his/her children, so he or she didn’t have to spend any money to do the right thing for the animal.  This cute kitten goes wild and nestles under the house of my personal friend and bears the six kitten litter I have in my possession right now.

A few years ago a box of puppies shows up in a dumpster on Hobart Road and was discovered before the puppies perished.  Thousands of dollars of reward money went unclaimed because the only people who know who did this crime were those who did it. They didn’t dare claim the prize because it would have gone to pay their fines for felony animal abuse, plus would have made them felons.  

So what can you do? Spay/neuter your animals. All of them, even the males. Don’t buy animals from backyard breeders, adopt from rescuers.

Here is a list of non-profit resources for both low-cost spay/neuter and adoptions within reach of The Reporter readers. There is limited volunteer-based transportation help to get animals to these clinics. This support is limited, but I may be able to find a kind-hearted helper close by. Please e-mail me at the address below, I’m happy to answer questions.

Low Cost-High Quality

Spay/Neuter Resources

Adoption Resources

Go to the website www.petfinder.com for the best way to find a rescue animal for adoption.

Enter your zip code on the left, select the pet you are looking for and you will see all the local shelters, including mine and every other charity rescue. If you want a particular breed, you can select on that also. Petfinder ads are high quality, because the advertising organization must be sponsored by a licensed veterinarian. No “for sale” animals are allowed on Petfinder.

Barb Horton is president of Puget Sound Working Cats and can be reached at 206-819-4261 or by e-mail at hortonbb@comcast.net.