Take Your Cats on a Free SPAYcation This Month
Summer’s here, which means it’s time for Portland-area residents to take their feline friends on an all-expenses paid SPAYcation the week of June 16. Qualifying low-income cat owners can call now to schedule a free spay/neuter surgery for every cat in their household. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-345-SPAY.
But wait, there’s more! Caretakers of stray or feral cats can also take advantage of this offer.
The free surgeries will be provided by the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP), which has made major inroads into reducing cat overpopulation in the Portland metropolitan area. In the last four years, ASAP has provided 41,000 free or low-cost surgeries, reducing the number of cats coming to local shelters by one-third.
All upcoming SPAYcation surgeries will be performed June 16 through June 20 by licensed veterinarians at one of several locations throughout the Portland/Vancouver area. Kittens are eligible for surgery also, as long as they are at least eight weeks old and weigh two pounds or more.
“Two cats can become 100 cats in a matter of months,” said Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS Director of Shelter Medicine. “As the days get longer cats reproduce at a much higher rate, and we need to focus on finding homes for cats without a flood of kittens adding to a shelter’s population.” ASAP hopes to alter 500 cats during SPAYcation, said Otteman.
What: Over 500 free cat spay/neuter surgery spots will be available the week of June 16 – 20. Kittens qualify if they are at least eight weeks old and weigh two or more pounds. Whether you’re caring for one cat or ten, ASAP will fix them all for free.
When: June 16 – June 20, 2014
How to Qualify: Qualified cat owners must receive government assistance or qualify under the program's low-income guidelines. The program is limited to cat owners who live in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, or Clark Counties.
Where: Services provided by licensed veterinarians at these locations: Cat Adoption Team, Sherwood; Feral Cat Coalition (for strays or feral cats, call for location); Humane Society of SW Washington, Vancouver; Multnomah County Animal Services, Troutdale; Oregon Humane Society, NE Portland. Transportation assistance may be available for those unable to take advantage of this offer because of travel issues.
How to Participate: Call 1-800-345-SPAY for a cat you own; or 503-797-2606 for feral cats. Visit www.spaysave.org more details.
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The free spay/neuter surgeries are offered through the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland’s Spay & Save program. ASAP is a coalition of the greater Portland area’s animal welfare organizations and veterinary community. This program is funded through private donations as well as grant monies provided by PetSmart Charities®. Visit www.spaysave.org for details on qualifying, addresses of surgery locations and more.