Spaying or neutering your pet is a great way to save other pet lives.The City of San Angelo and Concho Valley PAWS are teaming on an effort to significantly reduce the number of unwanted pets that enter the San Angelo Animal Shelter and are euthanized.

The Spay/Neuter Initiative Program, or SNIP, will aim to educate and raise awareness of the need for pet owners to alter their pets. Jenie Wilson, executive director of PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) says,

Sadly, thousands of healthy animals are destroyed every year in our local shelter. It’s our hope this initiative will help our community understand the link between indiscriminate breeding and our pet overpopulation. It will also make our community aware of some of the available spay/neuter assistance programs so cost will not be a barrier.

Of the 9,125 cats and dogs that entered the City’s animal shelter last year, 6,838 – or 76 percent – were euthanized. City Public Information Officer Anthony Wilson says,

Essentially, we’re looking to change the local culture. San Angelo has proven we can do that. We’ve dramatically reduced water usage by raising awareness through a steady drumbeat of water conservation messages. Once pet owners fully understand the end consequences of failing to alter their pets – and the benefits of spay/neuter – we’re convinced we will dramatically reduce the number of unwanted animals that are put down each year.

Voucher Information:

  • PAWS offers a low-cost spay/neuter voucher program. Vouchers for cats and dogs are sold the first Saturday of each month
  • $25 for cats
  • $50 for dogs
PAWS/SNIP Voucher Information: 

PAWS also offers free spay/neuter vouchers for low-income families and for pit bulls, Chihuahuas and mixes of those breeds. Pit bulls and Chihuahuas are easily the two most prevalent breeds at the animal shelter. High Risk free voucher application found here.   Jenie Wilson says,

For any pet owner who thinks spay/neuter is too expensive, it’s important to remember it’s a one-time cost that pales in comparison to the total cost of caring for a pet – feeding, veterinary care, kenneling, grooming – over its lifespan.

 

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