Sonoma County Animal Care and Control Launches Mobile Spay/Neuter Program

Sonoma County Animal Care and Control is launching a new pilot  "love me fix me" low-cost, mobile, targeted spay/neuter program.

The first clinic will be held Jan. 9. Through the "love me fix me" program, a   "love me van" will travel to neighborhoods throughout Sonoma County and provide mobile spay/neuter surgeries.

For a schedule of locations, click on the attached PDF.

The program is open to Sonoma County residents. Appointments can be made by calling 800-427-7973 or 707-565-7100.

For more information, go to http://www.sonoma-county.org/shelter/spayneuter.htm.

The cost to pet owners is between $15 - $30, and 240 surgeries will be provided at no cost, based on income.

As Sonoma County's largest animal shelter, Sonoma County Animal Care and Control takes in between 6,500 and 7,000 animals each year.

And although every cat, dog and rabbit adopted from ACC is spayed or neutered, there remains a significant pet overpopulation problem in Sonoma County.

ACC's live release rate -- the number of animals that get adopted, returned to their owners or transferred to a rescue group -0 continues to increase, but the number of animals the center takes in has remained constant.

Holding spay/neuter clinics two to three days each week, technicians will spay/neuter 2,400 dogs and cats in 2013 -- 6 times the number  the current spay/neuter programs are able to support.

Compassion without Borders, a local non-profit  organization that provides spay/neuter surgeries to for animals in Mexico and here in California, will join the program once each quarter, and provide pet wellness checks.

The goal is to have 2,400 dogs and cats spayed/neutered in 2013, according to Amy Cooper, a program coordinator.

If you are interested in discussing collaboration opportunities, or have questions or suggestions about the program, please call Amy Cooper at 707-565-7100 or email her at acooper@sonoma-county.org.

This pilot program is made possible through funding from The Salatko Animal Welfare Fund of Community Foundation Sonoma County, VIP PetCare Services, and Sonoma County Department of Health Services.