A new spay/neuter fund for low-income pet guardians in the City of Courtenay is the cat’s meow.

“This will help reduce pet overpopulation in so many ways,” says Tricia DeBruyne, manager of the Comox Valley & District Branch of the BC SPCA. “We will begin to see fewer unwanted litters and surplus animals in our shelter and abandoned in our community.”

Administered by the BC SPCA, the $5,000 fund was set up by the city earlier this year and is now available to assist low-income residents of Courtenay to spay or neuter their cats.

“Pet overpopulation is a major problem throughout our province,” says Geoff Urton, animal welfare manager for the BC SPCA.

“We applaud the City of Courtenay for making a commitment to end this tragedy and taking such a progressive step.

Urton and DeBruyne made a presentation to the city last year proposing a spay/neuter fund for low-income cat guardians.

The fund is available to cat guardians who meet the low-income criteria set by Statistics Canada, which varies depending on the size of the household.

Cat guardians who qualify and can provide documentation, picture ID and proof of residency will be eligible for a $100 spay certificate or a $50 neuter certificate for their feline, to be redeemed at participating veterinary hospitals. DeBruyne says veterinarians have kindly agreed to discount their services by a further 25 per cent, making the procedure even more affordable.

After the certificate and with the veterinary discount, guardians will pay approximately $45 for a neuter, or $60 for a spay. Veterinarians are also providing free tattoo identification at the time of the surgery.

Cat guardians can apply for certificates at the BC SPCA’s Comox Valley & District Branch by calling 250-339-7722 or visiting the shelter at 1668 Ryan Road East during hours of operation, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit the BC SPCA Pets in the City campaign to join fellow animal lovers using our online action centre to send a brief, polite email thanking the mayor and city council in Courtenay for their proactive approach.

The Comox Valley & District Branch of the BC SPCA provides shelter, medical treatment and daily care to hundreds of homeless, injured and abused animals each year. Your gift can help an unwanted pet find a loving new home and get a second chance. Please donate today.

Photo caption: Sweetheart is one of the cats currently available for adoption at the Comox Valley & District shelter. All animals adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, and now owned cats and kittens can also benefit from a special fund set up to help low-income pet guardians in Courtenay have their cats spayed or neutered.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our 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.