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SPCA offers program to help control the pet population

Jan 17, 2019 | 4:02 PM

 

Medicine Hat, AB – If you’ve ever watched the Price is Right, you’ve surely heard former host Bob Parker and new host Drew Carey say this line to finish the show: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered”.

That motto is essentially what the Medicine Hat SPCA is trying to do with their Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).

The SPCA has been offering this program for roughly 20 years and with a breakdown of the initiative, here’s Shelter Manager Audrey Becker. 

“It is designed for people that want to have their animals spayed/neutered and can’t afford it,” explained Becker. “People can come in, fill out an application and apply for the program through us and we can get them at a discounted price. Because the discounted price is on a case-to-case basis, I can’t speculate how much a person could save through this program.”

And the cost of having your animal spayed or neutered would also depend on what vet a person goes to.

“You’re going to be looking anywhere between $300-$400.” 

And Becker says those costs can sometimes be overwhelming.

“After vaccinations and having your pet spayed or neutered, a person could easily spend $700 in the first year of owning an animal.  That’s why we always promote going to a rescue or a shelter to adopt an animal because you’re going to adopt a cat for say $100.”

Thankfully, Becker says the City of Medicine Hat helps fund this initiative.

“We receive approximately $35,000 from the City. We do spend close to $100,000 spaying and neutering animals a year, so as you can see, this money is greatly needed.” 

And if people decide not to spay or neuter their pets, Becker says the problem will unfortunately continue.

“It’s not just an issue in Medicine Hat, it’s been an issue all over Canada and it’s also a worldwide problem. Cats for example can breed a little too easily and a little too quickly and one female cat can explode the population very quickly.  It just becomes an endless cycle”

To finish the conversation, Becker had this to say:

“If you’re wanting to have your animal spayed or neutered (and I do suggest having it done because of the overpopulation problem), please come talk to us and we’ll give you a hand.”