Wake SPCA offers low cost spay and neuter surgeries

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Wake County this week opened a spay/neuter animal clinic to provide the surgeries at reduced cost to pets whose owners have low incomes.

The clinic targets low income pet owners because surveys show the cost of spay/neuter surgery is the main reason people choose not to "fix" their pets, the SPCA says.

The surgery will cost between $30 to $45, less than what most vets charge, which can range from $70 to $500. Surgery costs are: male cat, $30; female cat, $35; male dog, $40; female dog, $45

Lower fees are available to people on public assistance. Basic vaccines and disease testing are available for a small additional fee at the time of surgery.

The clinic is at 300 Petfinder Lane in Raleigh, next to the SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center. For an appointment, call 919-772-0211.

The SPCA cites estimates that 80 percent of pet overpopulation comes from 3 percent of pet owners who can’t afford the cost of spay/neuter surgery.The uncontrolled breeding of animals creates unwanted animals that have to be are killed each year in North Carolina animal shelters, the organization says.

“Pet overpopulation is the leading cause of death for companion animals in North Carolina,” said Hope Hancock, SPCA executive director. “Nothing else -- not disease or cars or cancer -- kills more pets than the use of euthanasia as a means of decreasing the pet population.”

In Wake County alone, the government spends over $2 million to round up, house and destroy more than 10,000 animals each year, according to the SPCA.

The SPCA owns the clinic building and equipment and leases the clinic to two licensed veterinarians, Kristin Foley and Alice Marie Hunsucker.

They will perform between 20 and 35 surgeries a day, four days a week. Surgery follow-up appointments must be done at the clients’ primary care veterinarian.

The clinic building and equipment are funded through private donations. For details on how to donate, visit www.spcawake.org/fix.