ELIZABETHTOWN — There are 2,132 fewer animals reproducing in Bladen County than there were seven years ago, thanks to a local partnership.
In 2010, A Shelter Friend began partnering with Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital to offer monthly spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats. Targeting low-income pet owners in Bladen County, the cooperative effort is celebrating its seventh anniversary April 5.
“Think about it,” said A Shelter Friend’s Krista Hansen. “For seven years, an army of volunteers has organized each month to work alongside Dr. (Douglas) Gensel and staff so that over 25 dogs and cats per month lose the ability to reproduce. In that span of seven years, 2,132 surgeries have taken place, easing the burden on the county animal shelter and taxpayers.”
The overwhelming burden of the number of unwanted animals in Bladen County was, in fact, according to Hensen, the driving factor behind the establishment of the clinics. She said at the time the clinics began, between 3,500 and 4,200 animals were being euthanized each year in the county.
“We wanted to create an awareness of that,” she said. “These animals were dying, and no one knew how many there were.”
A study by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association showed that people with less than $35,000 in annual income didn’t get their pets spayed or neutered, so the group set the number as their guideline for services. With proof of income, anyone making less than $35,000 can get their pets spayed or neutered for $35 or $45 respectively.
“People just don’t realize that veterinarians pay the same prices for medication that human doctors pay,” said Hensen. “The anesthesia or nitrous oxide costs the same as it would for you, and think about how expensive it is for people. We just want to make that accessible for all pet owners.”
The spay/neuter clinic is held the first Wednesday of most months at Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital — including this week, when the program celebrates its seventh year in operation.
Those wishing to support the Elizabethtown Veterinary/A Shelter Friend spay and neuter program in Bladen County may do so by donating directly to A Shelter Friend, which can be contacted at 910-862-0539. Interested persons could also purchase the North Carolina Animal Lovers “I Care” license tag. Two-thirds of the $30 plate cost is returned to the North Carolina Spay/Neuter Program, which directly supports the efforts in Bladen County.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.