Animal Humane Society ends free trap-neuter-release program

The Animal Humane Society will no longer fund free spay/neuter surgeries for feral cats.

Animal Humane Society CEO Janelle Dixon said the organization initially had a grant for trap-neuter-release. This ran out, and the organization continued to offer free spay and neuter services for a time. But starting July 1, offering this service for free is no longer in the budget.

“We implemented a fee,” Dixon explained.

This fee is still partially subsidized by the humane society. Dixon said the trap-neuter-release program impacts 1,000 to 1,200 feral cats annually, which is only fraction of the 100,000 dogs, cats and critters assisted by the society each year.

Dixon noted that the humane society offers other programs including offering vet services at a lower cost, which may help people afford to keep their pets.

“An example of that would be there was a dog that came in and the individuals had been to another clinic and it was going to cost $6,000 to address the challenge with the dog. We were able to take the dog in and were able to address the problem and it was $600,” Dixon said. Ultimately, the dog was able to return to its owners with the issue resolved, she added.

The Animal Humane Society is having a gala called the Whisker Whirl on Saturday, Sept. 14. Learn more and register by Aug. 30 at animalhumanesociety.org.

Pet Project Rescue and the Bitty Kitty Brigade are having a fundraiser to raise money for trap-neuter-release at fundrazr.com/FUNDMNTNR.