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  • Kristy Krueger, DVM (right), holds a dog as Cati Harris shaves the necessary area during snip day at Enid SPCA June 23, 2011. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

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February 1, 2012

Program is seeking to reduce the number of Enid dogs euthanized

By James Neal, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Enid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has launched a new grant-funded spay/neuter program aimed at reducing the number of dogs being euthanized in the city.

Under the new program, dog owners who live in the 73701 ZIP code can apply to have their dogs spayed or neutered for a $10 fee.

“We want to make a huge difference in our community in the number of animals being euthanized, and we truly believe the only way to do that is to reduce the number of births that are occurring,” said Enid SPCA Executive Director Vickie Grantz.

In pursuit of that goal, Enid SPCA applied last year for a grant from PetSmart Charities, a nationwide nonprofit that has the stated mission of creating and supporting “programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.”

Grantz said the grant application involved a two- or three-month process with several revisions. She was “overwhelmed” and “elated” when PetSmart Charities approved Enid SPCA for $72,590 in grant funding to support the community spay/neuter program.

Grantz said the program is limited to dogs whose owners live in the 73701 ZIP code, because “you have to be able to show at the end of the grant that you’ve made a significant difference, so we had to narrow our target area to be able to show that.”

By focusing on dogs, Grantz said she hopes the program will “decrease the amount of unwanted births, which will decrease the amount of dogs surrendered and euthanized at Enid Animal Control.

“Along with all the great things that are going on at Enid Animal Control with getting animals adopted, we need to decrease the number of animals that are going there,” Grantz said. “In the United States alone there are seven puppies and kittens born every day for every child that’s born. There aren’t enough homes for all those animals and there never will be, so we have to decrease the number of animals being born.”

Grantz said the cost of having a dog spayed or neutered usually runs between $125 and $150, and she hopes reducing the cost to $10 will help more families cover the cost of having their dogs spayed or neutered.

Dog owners can pick up an application for the reduced-cost spay/neuter program at Enid SPCA, 1116 Overland Trail. Applicants will need to show a driver’s license or utility bill with photo identification, to show residency in the 73701 ZIP code.

Grantz said there usually is about a two-week wait for the surgery after the application is filed.

The PetSmart Charities grant provides sufficient funds for Enid SPCA to spay or neuter 550 dogs in 2012 and another 550 dogs in 2013.

“With dedicated focus and a plan like Enid SPCA’s, we are able to make strides toward helping end homeless pet overpopulation,” said Susanna Della Maddalena, vice president and executive director of PetSmart Charities. “Successful, low-cost spay/neuter programs like this one are so valuable to local communities, and PetSmart Charities is proud to be able to support these life-saving initiatives.”

For information on the program, call Enid SPCA at 233-1325.

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