Pet clinic may lower euthanasia

Animal enthusiasts say a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic scheduled to open next month should significantly decrease the number of pets euthanized at Evansville shelters.

The clinic, which will operate out of the Vanderburgh Humane Society on Millner Industrial Drive, will begin sterilizing animals July 30, executive director Kendall Paul said Wednesday. An Evansville veterinarian will supervise the facility. Paul would not release the veterinarian's name because the contract negotiations aren't final. "For too long, this community and surrounding communities have relied on euthanasia as a means of population control," Paul said.

In 2006 the humane society and Evansville Animal Control euthanized more than 5,000 dogs and cats. Other cities that have opened low-cost clinics have seen their euthanasia rates drop by as much as 60 percent over a 10-year period, Paul said.

"That would be a dream for our shelter," she said.

The clinic will take appointments from the public starting July 18. The cost will be $50 for dogs, $75 for dogs weighing more than 100 pounds, $40 for female cats, $30 for males and $25 for feral cats.

Some veterinarians charge up to $200 for similar services, Paul said. All animals surrendered to and adopted out from the humane society will be sterilized.

Evansville has for many years had problems with irresponsible pit bull owners, Paul said. To help control the population, the clinic will offer a discount as an incentive to have pit bulls sterilized.

When the clinic is fully operational, Paul hopes to sterilize up to 35 animals a day. The humane society bought a transport truck that will be used to deliver animals to the shelter. Paul plans to provide services at a reduced rate to clinics within a 90-mile radius of Evansville.

"We're going to support it as much as we can," Tom Hayden, Animal Control superintendent, said.

Dale Barker Wright, executive director of the Warrick County Humane Society Pet Adoption Center, knows the difference a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic can make. The pet adoption center, a no-kill shelter, opened one five years ago.

"We've gone from seeing 400 to 500 litters of kittens in the spring to a 75-80 percent reduction," Wright said.

Wright estimated the clinic has sterilized more than 13,000 animals since it opened.

Officials have already made an attempt to control the animal population. Last December, the City Council passed an ordinance that gives licensing fee breaks to pet owners who microchip their animals.

"So many things in life are governed by what does it cost ...," said Animal Control Commission President Marlin Beck. "I think this just gives a certain segment of the population another option."


source: www.courierpress.com