BALTIMORE, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland SPCA will open a spay/neuter clinic to serve cats and pit bulls in low-income households. The SPCA will hold a formal announcement, clinic opening and walk through for attendees and media on February 14, 2008 at 10 a.m. at its adoption center on 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore. To mark Valentine's Day 2008, the theme of the opening is "Show your Pit the Love. Neuter Him."
The clinic is an expansion of the SPCA's existing spay/neuter program, which in 2007 altered more than 6,000 pets. This included more than 500 feral cats as part of the SPCA's partnership with feral cat colony caretakers. The 2008 expansion is targeting two areas of greatest need -- cats and pit bulls. "Cats and pit bulls present special challenges for animal shelters," said Aileen Gabbey, Maryland SPCA Executive Director. "We are putting our resources toward the biggest need. This will make a real difference in saving animals' lives in the community and in improving the health and safety of Baltimore. In addition, neutering helps animals be healthier and calmer. These two new programs, Pit-Fix for pit bulls and Fix-Able for cats, both for owners who are low income, are innovative programs that are unique to the Baltimore area."
Cats reproduce very quickly, far exceeding the number of homes available. Pit bulls, because of their reputations, often remain in shelters for a long time, and the number of pit bulls also far exceeds the number of available homes interested in adopting the breed.
Fix-Able and Pit-Fix patrons must be low-income, as defined by a household income of less than $35,000 a year for a family of four. Cost for the surgery ranges between $30 to $50, depending upon the type of animal. Vaccinations and other treatments are available at the time of the surgery for an additional cost.
The public can schedule appointments for services by calling 410-235-8826, ext. 140 or by email at fixem@mdspca.org.
The Maryland SPCA is located at 3300 Falls Road in the Hampden area of Baltimore City. Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and people in the community by fostering healthy animal-human relationships. We are not a government agency nor affiliated with any other SPCA or Humane Society. For more information about The Maryland SPCA, visit
http://www.mdspca.org/ or call 410-235-8826.
posted by Patricia Haddock; photo from sxc.hu