Area partnership offers pet owners assistance

Dahlia, whose fate rests in the hearts of area residents, is a female greyhound who is being housed at the Fort Scott Animal Shelter waiting to be adopted. Dahlia is just one example of what happens to dogs and cats who have no one to care for them. -- Submitted Photo

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

The partnership between a local doctor and a non-profit organization make it possible for local residents to do their part to prevent pet overpopulation in the local area.

According to Pawprints on the Heartland Vice-president Mary Kay Caldwell, because of extreme pet overpopulation, Pawprints -- a non-profit organization that provides spay and neuter surgery at a low and affordable price -- and Kritter Kare Klinic, Fort Scott, have teamed up to provide area residents quality services.

Pawprints provides spay and neutering services to residents in five counties with its low-cost spay and neuter van. The van, which has been traveling to various towns in Southeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri, is equipped with a licensed veterinarian and two vet technicians.

According to Kritter Kare Klinic's Dr. Viergever, he contacted Pawprints about three years ago and joined in their effort to eliminate millions of unwanted animals. The partnership between Kritter Kare Klinic and Pawprints allows area residents who are elderly, low income or disabled to receive spay and neuter services from Dr. Viergever at an affordable rate. Caldwell said area residents who meet the guidelines can call (877) 887-9291 and apply for a voucher. The pet owner can use the voucher at Kritter Kare Klinic to get their dog or cat spayed or neutered.

Caldwell said Pawprints' motto is "prevention not destruction."

According to the Pawprints Web site, www.pawprintsontheheartland.org, one cat can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years. Because of the pet overpopulation, approximately 70 percent of animals in shelters and pounds have to be killed. The Humane Society of the United States said an average of six to eight million cats and dogs enter shelters each year. This makes the number of dogs and cats who are euthanized in shelters each year approximately three to four million.

Not only is it important to have a pet spayed or neutered in order to prevent overpopulation, having these surgeries done has other benefits also, according to Caldwell.

"Animals who have not been spayed or neutered are more likely to roam around, causing them to be killed on highways. Also, being spayed or neutered cuts down on serious health issues such as cancer," Caldwell said.

Pawprints and Purrs, Inc., www.sniksnak.com, reiterates Caldwell's statement.

"The most obvious reason for spaying or neutering is to prevent adding to the pet overpopulation problem. However, there are other real benefits particularly relating to a pet's health," Pawprints and Purrs said.

According to Caldwell, Pawprints on the Heartland currently has an It Takes Two special going on. With this promotion, two different people who need to have their pets spayed or neutered can get together to have the surgeries conducted on their animals at the same time. Pet owners who participate in the It Takes Two program will receive their services at half price.

For more information about IT Takes Two or spay and neutering services, contact Pawprints at (877) 887-9291 or Kritter Kare Klinic at (620) 223-5232.