Acadiana Humane Society receives grant following Tom Cat Special.

Written by Allyson Purpera
Edited by Sue Rabeaux

Acadiana Humane Society received a $500 grant to be used for spaying and neutering as a result of 2008 Spay Day USA efforts. The grant money was donated by Carol Smallwood and it was decided to use these funds to start a new Spay/Neuter program, to assist low income people with altering their pets. The Carol Smallwood Grant was awarded to eight additional rescue groups around the country.

During Spay Day USA 2008, Acadiana Humane Society raised $80 to assist with spaying/neutering a total of 17 pets, and got the “spay/neuter” message to 40 people. During the 2008 Tom Cat Special, a Spay Day USA event, Dr. Emily Thomas of Parkway Animal Hospital neutered at least 10 male cats at a cost of $10 each.

To determine who is eligible to receive spay/neuter assistance from the Carol Smallwood Grant, we are using the same “low income” screening criteria that was used during the Tom Cat Special. Half of the cost of each spay/neuter surgery, up to $35 per pet, is being directly reimbursed to vets providing services to eligible recipients. Recipients can use their veterinarian of choice or can use Dr. Dupont in Lafayette, Louisiana. Dr. Dupont performs many spay/neuter surgeries for our rescue group and has agreed to work with us on this project.

HOW TO HELP:

Funds from the Carol Smallwood Grant will be depleted quickly. Please consider making a donation so we can continue providing spay/neuter assistance to additional low income people. We have already received a generous $200 donation from one of our loyal volunteers, which will help to spay/neuter six or seven more cats and dogs.

PayPal donations can be sent to spay@acadianahumane.org (by using this e-mail address, we know that donations are designated for our “Spay/Neuter Fund”).

You can also donate by mailing a check or money order made payable to Acadiana Humane Society. Please include a memo that specifies “Spay/Neuter Fund” to the following address:

Acadiana Humane Society / Cat Ranch
P.O. Box Drawer C
Sunset, Louisiana 70584

All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to receive a tax donation receipt in the mail, please be sure to include your name and mailing address with your donation. Thank you!

For more information:
• Acadiana Humane Society/Cat Ranch
• Spay/Neuter Fever! community
• Spay/Neuter Resources

Photo credit: taken by Celeste Crimi, Best Friends Staff