01 Feb Second Chance: Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics
Dear Pet Column,
Help me to help you. I have a cat that is not yet spayed. I do not want her getting knocked up, but cannot afford the operation. Will Second Chance pay for the surgery so there are fewer unwanted cats in the world?
Sincerely,
Dismayed about the Spay
Dear Dismayed,
At the risk of sounding harsh, Second Chance does not carry pet parent’s responsibilities for them – but – they are there to support pet parents however they can. So dismay no further – Second Chance has a Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance Program. The program was developed about 20+ years ago to support low-income residents within our tri-county service area to make the best choice for their pets. Finances should not be a barrier in helping to save lives…
Clinics are held onsite at the Second Chance Shelter every two months (or more depending upon demand) to help ease the expense of what can be a costly procedure (although one of paramount importance). The next clinic is Saturday, February 25, so call today (970.626.2273) to reserve a spot.
Shellie
As you seem to be aware, spaying and neutering is vital in controlling pet overpopulation and saving lives of homeless pets like me.
Below are a few additional considerations as to why this procedure is good practice:
Altering intact animals can also help improve your pet’s health, while preventing negative behavioral issues. Intact cats have a much stronger urge to spray than those that have been spayed or neutered, similar to dogs and urine-marking. Spraying is a mostly preventable behavior that otherwise leads to many felines being dropped at a shelter.
Additionally, un-neutered male dogs are more prone to urine-marking and unspayed females have a much stronger urge to roam while in heat (and thus also ending up at as shelters). Spaying and neutering can also help “chill out” excessively high-strung animals and decrease undesirable dominance-related behavior such as mounting or aggression.
A common myth surrounding spaying/neutering is that the animals’ personality will be transformed after the procedure. This is simply not the case, there are no procedurally related fundamental changes (other than the positive ones discussed above) in altered pets.
Second Chance’s low-cost spay and neuter clinics are here as a community resource and available to residents of Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties. Prices for surgeries range from $20 – $40. Call to learn more or follow us on Facebook for additional clinic dates…
My name is Shellie. I am about five-years-old and, sadly, this is my second time here at Second Chance as my owner could no longer care for me. I am very affectionate, quiet, and good with other cats, so basically I am the ideal adoptable cat (and already spayed!). I am hoping my broken heart will be mended by a Valentine’s Day adoption.
Phoenix
For the canine lover’s Valentine special we have Phoenix, an 18-month-old Border Collie / Cattle dog mix. Phoenix is a very sweet happy animal with high energy, who will make the best Valentine for an active person so that he can be his best self. Come meet him today!
Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.
Ted Hoff & Magnificent Mae
By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)
Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View the shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org
Vetting the Vet: Dr. Michelle Dally, DVM, J.D. is Medical Director of Second Chance Humane Society. She also has a private practice, Dally Veterinary Medicine, 333 S. Elizabeth Street, Ridgway, Colorado. Her service area is San Miguel Mesas, Placerville, Ridgway, Ouray, and Montrose. For more on Dr. Dally, go here.
Dr. Michelle and Wallowby
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