A local animal rescue group has received a grant to provide free spay and neuter services to pet owners in the Wichita area.
The Wichita Animal Action League received $10,000 from PetsMart Charities and a matching private donation. The organization is giving out vouchers to get 275 cats and dogs spayed or neutered for free. The Kansas Humane Society will perform the surgeries.
WAAL executive director Sarah Coffman says the “Spay it Forward” program is a long-term solution to the city’s stray pet problem.
“We can rescue all of the dogs and all of the cats off of death row this year, and that’s not going to do anything to help us next year because those numbers are going to keep coming," Coffman says. "So this is the only proven way you can get a handle on your community’s pet population."
The organization received more than 400 voucher requests within hours of announcing the program and had to temporarily suspend applications. Coffman says the program is now scheduling more than 100 procedures, and will continue accepting applications later this year, with priority given to pet owners living in certain zip codes that Wichita Animal Control says are hotbeds for stray pickups. Surgeries will also be limited to female cats and dogs. Check here for updates.
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