County residents lose low-cost spay/neuter option

 

The Sacramento Area Animal Coalition (SAAC) announced yesterday that it must shut down its low-cost spay/neuter voucher services for Sacramento County and Citrus Heights residents. The voucher program will still be available in other areas.

Shannon Asquith, president of the non-profit SAAC, says that funding cuts have forced the closure. The voucher program is funded strictly through grants and donations, which are more difficult to come by since the economic downturn.

Vouchers will still be available to residents of the city of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Yolo County and Rancho Cordova.

To qualify for the current SAAC voucher program, the resident must have a combined household income of $35,000 per year or less. There is a limit of four vouchers per family and the pet must be between 3 months and 7 years of age.

If a participating veterinarian determines that it is safe for the individual animal, a pregnant cat can be spayed.

Vouchers can only be used for pets that are owned; information about a low cost program for feral cats can be found on the SAAC site.

A list of other low-cost spay/neuter programs that remain available to County and Citrus Heights residents can be found by clicking here.

Male cats/kittens can be fixed for $15 – but hurry!

Qualified owners of unfixed male cats and kittens can get a great deal at Sacramento’s Spay Day event, but only if they act quickly.  Appointments for other animals have filled up fast, but some spots remain for unneutered male cats.

Spay Day Sacramento is on March 6 — a day when hundreds of Sacramento area veterinarians, rescue groups and volunteers join together to spay and neuter up to 1,000 dogs and cats belonging to families in need. 

The event is coordinated by the non-profit Sacramento Area Animal Coalition (SAAC), as part of a national Spay Day program. The annual SAAC event is the largest of its kind in the country.

To qualify, pet owners must be…

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