THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society’s low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic has been a hit with the pet-owning public.
In less than four years the clinic has performed more than 10,000 surgeries, providing the service to local pet owners, rescues and their own animals prior to adoption.
Shawna Beaulieu, the Humane Society's executive director, said it was an exciting day when the milestone was met.
“It’s pretty exciting news,” Beaulieu said.
“On average we do about 18 surgeries a day, but Dr. Roberts has done as many as 35 in one day.”
The impact is being felt around the city, she added.
“Spay-neuter is certainly a priority for us and that’s based on proof that it’s needed. Thirty per cent of the animals that come into our care is because they are from unwanted litters. That’s huge. That’s why we prioritize spay-neuters. With the shortage of veterinarians that we have to get the animal over-population under control and that’s why we put so much effort and resources toward our low-cost spay and neuter program,” Beaulieu said.
It's estimated the program has prevented about 360,000 unplanned offspring since the clinic became operational in January 2019.
A subsidized spay and neuter program, sponsored through a $20,000 grant from the Kerri Chase Foundation, helped make an even bigger impact, providing spay and neuter procedures to 93 pet families in need — and counting.
“We are very pleased to recognize the work that the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society has done with respect to the area of spay and neuter,” said Ken Chase, treasurer for the Keri Chase Foundation, in a release issued by the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.
The Humane Society is also making a fundraising pitch between now and the end of 2022, seeking $10,000 in honour of the 10,000-surgery milestone, money which will be used to help cover the costs of the low-cost program.
Donations can be made by phoning 475-8803 or through the Humane Society’s Facebook page.
