Humane Society receives spay/neuter grant

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November 12, 2012

Humane Society receives spay/neuter grant

By Janet Jacobs Corsicana Daily Sun The Corsicana Daily Sun Mon Nov 12, 2012, 08:09 PM CST

The Humane Society of Navarro County is once again the recipient of a privately funded $15,000 grant to spay and neuter dogs at little or no cost to pet owners who cannot afford the surgery.

“The Humane Society is dedicated to reducing animal overpopulation and abandonment in Navarro County through spay/neuter initiatives, public education in responsible pet ownership and placement of adoptable pets in appropriate homes. Preventing unwanted litters translates to healthier pets, happier owners and lower euthanasia rates at shelters,” said Julie Maupin, president of the society.

Large and small dogs are eligible for the grant, but the Humane Society urges owners of large dogs in particular to apply. Two thirds, or $10,000 of the grant is designated for surgeries for large dogs. A large dog is one that weighs more than 40 pounds. The other $5,000 is for surgeries for small dogs.

Large dogs tend to have more puppies per litter, many of which end up unadopted in the animal shelters, they’re more expensive to feed and care for, and they’re more expensive to have spayed or neutered, Maupin pointed out.

“Veterinarians will tell you, spaying and neutering makes for a healthier pet, it cuts down on overpopulation and prevents these problems we see where people can’t find homes for them, they get dumped in the city or the county or they’re brought to the shelter,” Maupin said. “It’s not possible to find homes for all of them. It’s not possible.”

The low-cost and free spaying/neutering is available to citizens of Navarro County and neighboring counties. This grant is designed to help people who cannot afford the full cost of spay/neuter surgery for their pets. It is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Assistance is limited to five dogs per household, and the dog in question must be owned by the applicant. It cannot be used for animals bought from a breeder or adopted from a rescue facility.

Although there is always a waiting list, the funds are available now for more surgeries. To apply for assistance, call the HSNC office at (903) 875-1060, or come by the office in the west end of the Today Homes warehouse directly behind Skinny's at West Seventh Ave and 20th Street any weekday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Applications may be filled out online from the organization’s website at www.thehsnc.org or turned in at the office or faxed to (903) 875-1063. The application process is quick and easy. Leave a message for a call back. One application is required for each dog. Because it can take weeks to get an application approved and then to move to the top of the list and to get an appointment with a vet, the society encourages people to apply as soon as they get their dog, even if it’s still a puppy.

The tremendous success of the HSNC spay/neuter program is ensured through grants, annual fundraising events, donations, memberships and the cooperation of our local veterinarians. The $15,000 grant is a reimbursement grant, which means the Humane Society pays for the surgery, and then asks to be paid back by the foundation providing the grant. The Humane Society spent over $30,000 on spay/neuter funding in 2011 and is on track to exceed that figure in 2012. The HSNC currently has no grant to cover the spay/neuter of cats; however, limited funds are available for cats through the generosity of donors.

“This is for people who want to do the right thing, but simply cannot afford to do the right thing,” Maupin said.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via email at jjacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? Email: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com

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Humane Society receives spay/neuter grant

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