The agency (MAPA) received $17,000 from the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund recently. The group was one of 24 community coalitions of veterinarians and animal care, and control organizations across the state to get part of the $225,000 in grant funds.
“This is our biggest grant and we’ve been very fortunate to have gotten it the last four years,” said Don Stoutt, president of the board of directors for the local agency.
|
Advertisement |
The funds are used each year in the form of vouchers that are given to local veterinarians in Montrose County. Vouchers are also given to some veterinarians in San Miguel and Delta counties, however, they may only be used by Montrose County residents to spay or neuter their cats or dogs.
“We usually figure an average of $50 (for each voucher amount),” Stoutt said. “For an average of $50, we can do 340 spays with the $17,000. That’s a big chunk of what we do every year.”
From December 2007 to November 2008, MAPA assisted 711 people with the cost of spaying or neutering their dog.
Stoutt said it is the holiday season when boxes of animals are seen outside businesses for “give-a-ways” that he’s reminded of the importance of people spaying and neutering their pets.
“If they would take advantage of the help we offer ... this would be taken care of,” Stoutt said.
In 2007, 163,700 dogs and cats were entered into Colorado shelters, and nearly 45,000 were euthanized.
“This is what we are trying to get away from,” he said.
The voucher assistance depends on the procedure needed, and owners must make less than $35,000. Prices for spaying and neutering also vary by vet. The agency provides $25 to neuter a male cat; $55 to neuter a male dog or spay a female cat; and $65 to spay a female cat.
MAPA works mostly from grants and fundraisers. People can also support the agency by contributing to the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund on line 38 of their Colorado tax returns.
Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User