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City of Quesnel helps fund SPCA spay/neuter program for low-income cat owners

City helps SPCA with commitment to reduce cat overpopulation in Quesnel
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Low-income cat owners will now be able to take part in a low-cost spay-neuter program for cats.

The City of Quesnel has provided funding as part of a kennel contract to the program, run by the BC SPCA Quesnel & District branch.

For $50 for a male cat and $75 for a female cat, guardians can receive a voucher from the branch that covers the full cost of the spay/neuter surgery, as well as microchip and registration with the BC Pet Registry. Spaying or neutering alone can cost upwards of $130, says a representative from the Quesnel Veterinary Clinic.

The SPCA says the benefits of spaying and neutering include reducing the number of unwanted litters that end up at the shelter, as well as decreased risk of disease and prevention of adverse behavioural traits for the cat itself.

“We are thrilled that the city recognizes the need to address cat overpopulation and has included more than $5,500 in our contract designated specifically to providing a spay/neuter program for low income residents,” says Colby O’Flynn, manager at the BC SPCA Quesnel Branch.

“This program makes it feasible for low-income families to do the right thing for their cat and community. These residents wanted to fix their cat but were not able to afford the costs. This is an important step towards ending cat overpopulation in Quesnel,” O’Flynn explains.

O’Flynn says the Quesnel SPCA branch is seeing an increase in kittens coming into the shelter’s care, with more on the streets. The organization has also been fixing feral cat colonies thanks to a BC SPCA grant and with the help of local volunteers. The purpose is again to reduce the number of cats in the community and in the shelter.

Funding is available for cat guardians interested in participating in the low-income program. Residents of Quesnel can contact the branch for more information at 250-992-7722, or visit the branch at 1000 Carson Pit Road.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Its mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

READ MORE: Local SPCA seeks funding to spay and neuter feral and nuisance cats



editor@quesnelobserver.com

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