Funds sought for spay-neuter clinic

For months now, committee members have been striving to raise $20,000 to open a spay-neuter clinic to help with the county's overwhelming stray dog and cat population.

Approximately 75 to 80 percent of dogs and cats are euthanized locally as a result of this overpopulation, said Bedford County Animal Control Director Michael Gregory.

"Southern states are about 20 years behind the north," Gregory said, in terms of controlling their pet population.

As of this week, the Spay-Neuter Committee needs $7,000 before it can open, Gregory said. That may not seem like a lot, but the problem, Gregory said, is that there is a time limit for which that $7,000 can be raised.

"We received a $10,000 grant to go toward the $20,000," Gregory said. "But that grant is only good for one year, so we need to spend that money, or give it back."

Gregory said he'd like the clinic to be operational by spring. The committee has set up a fund in the name of the spay/neuter clinic at People's Bank in Shelbyville, and committee members are asking citizens to help control the county's overpopulation of pets by contributing to that account.

"We also need people to help on the committee," said Kimberly Warren, of Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association. "Anyone interested in helping can contact me ... we really need help."

The spay and neuter clinic will "target the problem areas," Gregory said, stressing that people who can afford to take their pets to veterinarians for spaying and neutering will not be eligible for care at the low cost clinic. Mainly, it will serve low income families and elderly folks on fixed incomes.

"A lot of times, the elderly can't afford to adopt a pet and have it spayed," Warren said. "But animals are such great companions for the elderly."

Once the clinic opens, every animal will be spayed or neutered upon adoption. Currently, people who adopt pay a deposit, which is returned to them once they have the pet spayed or neutered on their own.

"But it doesn't always happen," Gregory said. "This will ensure no one slips through the cracks."

Besides the $10,000 grant, Warren said the committee raised the other $3,000 from the Hawgs for the Dawgs fundraiser this past fall, as well as a couple of private donations.

The committee is currently brainstorming potential fundraising ideas. After hearing of the recent success of United Way's and First Choice Pregnancy's 5K runs, they're thinking about sponsoring their own run in early spring.

"We thought March would be a good time to maybe have one," Gregory said. "By then, I've heard people will be itching to get outside and run."

Benefits of spaying and neutering

* Helps cats and dogs live longer and healthier lives

* Eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer, and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer

* Prevents various reproductive tract disorders

* Eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of benign prostate disease

* Spayed and neutered animals generally make better, more loyal pets

* Eliminates heat cycles , and stops unwelcome visits by hordes of suitors (females)

* Stops the mating drive and related fighting, and stops the urge for roaming (males)

* Smaller (county) budgets are needed by reducing the number of strays housed, fed or euthanized

* Community members are not bothered by strays who may destroy their property and threaten their community.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

To donate to Bedford County's Spay/Neuter Clinic fund, visit People's Bank at 1122 N. Main St. in Shelbyville, or call Bedford County Animal Control at 685-1130 or Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association at 684-5463.