ACT Seeks Continued Funding for Spay/Neuter Program

The Animal Coalition of Tampa Spay/Neuter Clinic is seeking public support to urge the Hillsborough County commissioners to continue funding the Spay/Neuter Voucher Program, according to a press release from ACT.

First established in 2003, the program provides financial assistance for individuals and families on a limited budget to get their animals fixed. Since its inception, the program (along with other efforts to end pet overpopulation) has managed to successfully lower the county’s euthanasia rate by 50 percent. 
 
However, there are still more than 16,000 dogs and cats being put down in Hillsborough County each year simply because there are too many of them, according to ACT. The ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic’s primary mission is to reduce the number of unwanted pets so that no more healthy, adoptable dogs and cats are needlessly put down.
 
Veterinary clinics were recently informed that the voucher program has been temporarily discontinued and that no new applications are being accepted. The funding is at risk of being taken away indefinitely, according to the press release. ACT is seeking public support to make sure that doesn’t happen.
 
The direct recipients of this program are the poor residents of the community (families, elderly, kids). They are the people who have a hard time putting food on their table. Using precious dollars to get their pets fixed is simply not an option for most. This program helps them do the right thing, as well as saves county taxpayers money that is spent on housing and eventually euthanizing animals. 
 
The ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic is a nonprofit organization.  Its primary focus is high-volume spay/neuter programs to reduce the high number of companion animals entering local shelters, and in turn, end pet overpopulation in the community.  The spay/neuter clinic opened its doors in March 2006, and to date has provided high-quality and affordable sterilizations, vaccinations and microchipping services to more than 20,000 animals in the Tampa Bay area. Spay/neuter costs at the ACT clinic range from $40 to $95.

Visit http://www.actampa.org or call for an appointment at 813-250-3900.