STANWOOD Thanks to a grant for $20,000 from PetSmart Charities the Northwest Organization for Animal Help in Stanwood will be offering free male cat neuter surgeries during May.
The grant will assist N.O.A.H. in offering spay and neuter services to pet guardians in targeted areas of the community who could not afford to have their pets spayed or neutered.
The grant will help spay or neuter 400 pets in hot-spots that produce the most litters of puppies and kittens that end up at local animal shelters.
N.O.A.H. is proud to partner with the following local animal control and shelter agencies to successfully carry out this grant program: Burlington Police Department, Camano Animal Shelter Association, Everett Animal Control, Humane Society of Skagit Valley and Skagit County Animal Control.
We are thrilled that the PetSmart grant will allow us to partner with some great organizations and will improve the impact of our spay/neuter efforts, said Austin Gates, N.O.A.H. Executive Director.
We hope that this spay/neuter program will soon become a model for other agencies across the country.
The animal guardians who visit our clinic understand the importance of preventing cat overpopulation, Gates said.
But theres often a misconception that curbing reproduction is the only reason to spay or neuter a cat, she added.
There are several advantages to neutering male cats that can benefit both Tom and his family:
Neutering can help curb territorial spraying inside the house, a common complaint of unaltered male cat owners. The strong odor of a male cats urine is also diminished.
Neutering can reduce aggressive breeding-related behaviors such as straying and fighting other cats. Unaltered, roaming cats are more likely to be severely injured or contract serious diseases such as feline AIDS.
Neutering lessens the risk of testicular cancer, enlargement of the prostate and other related conditions.
Research has shown that neutered cats on average live twice as long as unaltered cats.
Neutered cats are more socially engaged with their human families.
To address the demand for low-cost spay and neuter surgeries in Snohomish, Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties, the N.O.A.H. clinic has also expanded its operating hours and is now open seven days a week.
Our surgery schedule fills up quickly, especially this time of year, Gates said. Were thrilled to be able to improve the impact of our spay/neuter efforts.
N.O.A.H.s free neuter surgery program is open to the pets of lower income families in the Puget Sound region. Vaccinations can be given at the time of surgery but are not provided as a separate service.
To determine if you qualify for the free neuter surgery program and to schedule an appointment, call 360-629-7055.
N.O.A.H. was founded in 1988 and opened its new Animal Adoption Center in May 2003. The goal of N.O.A.H. is stopping the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in Northwest Washington and Building a Bond for Life between pets and their families. Partnering with overcrowded local animal shelters in Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties, N.O.A.H. takes animals and gives them another chance for adoption.
N.O.A.H. also offers low-cost spay/neuter to low-income pet guardians, dog obedience classes, a gift shop, and established volunteer program. Since opening, over 4,100 dogs and cats have been adopted into new homes and over 11,000 pets have been spayed or neutered. N.O.A.H. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported by tax deductible donations. For more information on N.O.A.H. and its programs, call 360-629-7055 or visit www.thenoahcenter.org.