The City of Early shared the following press release Wednesday:
The City of Early is excited to announce a low-cost spay and neuter program for residents of Early, Texas, starting October 1, 2024. Spaying or neutering your pets offers numerous benefits, including:
- Fewer homeless pets
- Enhanced shelter care
- Reduced costs for the community
- Improved public health
- Better human-animal interactions
Decreased roaming animals
Spaying and neutering significantly reduce accidental litters, helping to decrease the number of pets entering shelters and at risk of euthanasia. With fewer animals in shelters, the quality of care for remaining pets improves, and overcrowding is minimized. This program is also more cost-effective than managing stray populations, providing for abandoned animals, and euthanizing those without homes. Furthermore, spaying and neutering can lower the expenses associated with treating unaltered pets that may get into fights.
In addition, altering pets reduces health risks linked to unaltered animals, such as uterine infections and breast cancer in female cats, as well as testicular cancer and prostate issues in male dogs. Roaming animals can pose challenges for communities, including threatening wildlife, causing accidents, and alarming children. Spaying and neutering play a crucial role in minimizing the number of stray animals.
We recognize that even responsible pet owners may encounter financial constraints when it comes to spaying or neutering their pets. The City of Early’s program aims to assist low-income pet owners in our community.
Program Process
- The program is available for spaying and neutering dogs and cats that are not feral.
- Eligibility is limited to residents within the incorporated city limits of Early.
- Applicants must complete an application, provide a current water bill as proof of residency, and show proof of rabies vaccination (if applicable). For residents in apartments or other housing without a water account, an alternative proof of residency, such as a letter from an apartment manager, is acceptable. Driver’s licenses will not be accepted as proof.
- City of Early will review applications to determine income bracket status and voucher eligibility based on the information provided.
- Upon approval, applicants will pay a set fee based on their income bracket, which will cover the spay/neuter procedure and a rabies vaccination if needed.
- Costs range from $0 to $75, depending on the income bracket.
- A voucher will be issued once approved and the fee is paid.
- Applicants are responsible for contacting a participating veterinary clinic to schedule the surgery. The Brown County Animal Clinic is currently participating in this program. The voucher must be presented to the veterinary clinic at the time of surgery, covering the costs for the spaying or neutering of the approved animal. Any additional services requested will be the owner’s financial responsibility.
Limitations and Availability of Vouchers
- Only one voucher per water account/address per year is permitted.
- Vouchers are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Vouchers will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis starting from the program’s launch date, which is October 1, 2024, until the program funds are exhausted.
- Vouchers cannot be used for dogs or cats that have not yet been born. Eligible animals must be at least 5-6 months old to participate in the program.