Taking care of pets is a huge responsibility and judging by the number of stray and unfixed animals, more has to be done. The Pas and Area Animal Shelter (TPAAS) is now offering a Low Income Spay and Neuter Program to assist with the issue of pets not being spay or neutered in the tri-community.
“People apply to the Low Income Spay and Neuter Program that we offer here at The Pas and Area Animal Shelter,” said TPAAS Secretary Lynda Geswin. “Forms are available online through our Facebook page, at the vet clinic and at the shelter. This is a program that is subsidized both by the shelter and the local vet clinic. We are trying to support pet owners who want what is best for their pet but can't financially do it. There are only a handful of spaces per month. “The cost is $100 per cat neuter. $125 per cat spay and $170 per dog spay or neuter. Those costs include vaccinations. Animals must have their vaccinations before their spay or neuter, so people should start the application process early. “This program was pets have a longer life expectancy. only launched a couple of months ago,” said Geswin. “We have spayed two dogs, and have a few others going through the process.” Getting your pet spay or neutered alleviates a lot of problems that TPAAS is seeing with the overpopulation of stray animals. The benefits to getting your pet spay or neutered, far outweigh any negatives aspects, if there are any. “There are so many reasons to have your pet spay or neutered,” said Geswin. “In Manitoba, we are facing a cat and dog overpopulation crisis. There are so many dogs, and not enough homes for them all. There was a time when we were fairly successful finding placement for dogs with Winnipeg based rescues, but that time is over. Rescue placements are hard to come by, and the amount of animals in need seems to be in creasing instead of de creasing. “On a more personal level, spaying your pet can reduce difficult behavior such as aggression, marking territory, running away, and fighting are all common in unaltered pets. Spaying and neutering reduce the risks of some cancers, and as a result, “Some of the other challenges in pets who are not spay or neutered that we see are unneutered dogs packing up when there is a female in heat,” said Geswin. “Not only is it a challenge to keep un fixed animals at home, but they can also become aggressive in these situations. Female cats yowl and are very annoying when they are in heat. Male cats mark their territory by spraying on things. “Also, we get a lot of messages where people tell us they are over whelmed caring for a litter of puppies. Puppies are a lot of work.” TPAAS is fundraising to keep shelter operations going as well as looking for sponsors for the new Low Income Spay and Neuter Program. “We are currently looking for people who are interested in sponsoring a spay or a neuter in the month of February,” said Geswin. “Sponsor ship amounts range from $50 for a partial spay or neuter, to $485 to sponsor the full cost of a dog spay. “We are always looking for volunteers and foster homes. Specifically related to spay and neuter month, we are looking for volunteers who are willing to drive people to vet appointments. Many of our applicants do not have vehicles, and getting to appointments is difficult.” There are still lots of pets looking for their for ever home at the TPAAS. All adoption fees help cover costs of the first rounds of vaccinations and help offset some expenses the shelter has in keeping animals. “In the shelter, and in foster homes combined, we have 26 dogs, and 36 cats up for adoption,” said Geswin. “Adoption fees are as $230 male cat; $275 female cat; $325 male dog and $400 female dog. Costs include first vaccination series, which includes rabies for dogs, deworming and spay or neuter. “Adoption fees only partially cover the costs incurred by the shelter to do the basic vetting of an animal- vaccinations, de worming and spay or neuter. Almost all of our animals come needing all of those procedures done, and it is not unusual for us to have additional health related costs for an animal as well. “The shelter is open most Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,” said Geswin. “People are welcome to come by and see the animals. We are hosting an open house during NMTF, on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m."