Staff Reports
FARMINGTON, N.M. – On Feb. 26, the Farmington Regional Animal Shelter completed their 5,000th public spay and neuter through a program started in 2014 – and just in time for the Humane Society’s 24th annual World Spay Day. There has been a 22 percent decrease in animal intakes at the regional animal shelter over the past 10 years, and the live release rate has increased from 30 percent to 70 percent in the same time period. According to national statistics, this success is directly related to the pet spay and neuter program.
Almost twice as many animals are turned into animals shelters nationally than are adopted each year leading to suffering and euthanasia for many of the animals. Spay and neutering is the best way to control animal over population and wellness. The public spay and neuter program at Farmington Regional Animal Shelter offers low or no-cost spay and neuter services to residents of San Juan County.
The fees range from $85 to free, based on the resident’s annual income. Proof of residency and a copy of your latest tax return are all that are needed to qualify county residents for the service. Currently the shelter is booked out a month and a half in advance.
“We love that people are taking advantage of our public spay and neuter program. We are able to help those who love their pet and want the best for them but are unable to afford a spay or neuter surgery. It is also helping us make an impact on our intake numbers,” said Stacie Voss, animal welfare director.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, spay and neutering pets can increase their health by keeping them from roaming and increasing their risk of dangerous interactions and on average increases their life span by up to five years. Bad information sometimes keeps owners from spaying and neutering their animals. One such myth is that pets will get fat and lazy or less protective after being spayed or neutered, but just like in humans, these conditions are actually caused by over eating, lack of proper exercise, and the pets’ natural personalities!
The public spay and neuter program does not include surgeries done internally for adoptable animals. Spay and neuters done in conjunction with adoptions from the Farmington Regional Animal Shelter contributes another 2,000 spay and neuters annually. For more information on the pubic spay and neuter program and other services at Farmington Regional Animal Shelter contact them at (505) 599-1098 or visit them online at www.fmtn.org/AnimalServices.
About World Spay Day: On the last Tuesday of every February, World Spay Day shines a spotlight on the power of affordable, accessible spay/neuter to save the lives of companion animals, community (feral and stray) cats, and street dogs who might otherwise be put down in shelters or killed on the street.
For more info, visit: http://m.humanesociety.org/issues/spay_day/.
