Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic and Larimer Humane Society are joining forces to provide free transportation from Loveland to Fort Collins for dogs and cats in need of spay/neuter. The program’s goal is to decrease pet overpopulation and help pet owners in southern Larimer County overcome barriers to accessing low-cost and subsidized spay/neuter.
In 2014, 1,339 dogs and cats from Loveland entered Larimer Humane Society’s shelter, which accounted for 25 percent of pet intakes for all of Larimer County. Together, the two organizations hope the transportation service will help to decrease this number over time.
“Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is excited to collaborate with Larimer Humane Society in what is both a human services and pet retention program,” said Sarah Swanty, executive director of Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic. “This service will help pet owners who face transportation or cost barriers, and also will serve to prevent unplanned litters of puppies and kittens that are likely to end up in shelters.”
Larimer Humane Society is providing the use of its community outreach van, and the transportation service will be run primarily by volunteers of both Larimer Humane Society and Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic. The pet drop-off and pickup location will be at the grooming business Dog Baths and Beyond at 1221 W. Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland.
Transportation is free and will be offered on the third Wednesday of each month and will alternate monthly between dogs and cats. The first transport will be on Jan. 21 for eight to 12 dogs, depending on their size. Up to 20 cats will be transported on Feb. 18. Since there is limited space in the transport vehicle, reservations and a confirmed surgery appointment are required and can be made by calling the clinic at (970) 484-1861. For assistance in Spanish, call (970) 672-3550.
“While this program was originally created to help the people and pets of Loveland, it is not limited to just Loveland residents or low-income pet owners,” said Judy Calhoun, executive director of Larimer Humane Society. “Anyone having difficulty getting their pet to the Fort Collins clinic from south Larimer County is welcome to apply.”
Pet owners concerned about their ability to afford spay/neuter surgery for their dogs or cats are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic’s Prevent A Litter Plus (PAL+) program. The PAL+ program is for qualifying low-income pet owners or those on government assistance. For more information on PAL+ or to apply, the program coordinator can be reached by calling (970) 817-5952. Pet owners who speak only Spanish may call (970) 672-3550.
About Larimer Humane Society
Founded in 1969, Larimer Humane Society promotes and provides the responsible care and treatment of animals. As an open door shelter, Larimer Humane Society admits every animal in need, regardless of breed, sex, age, behavior, medical condition or history. Through quality adoptions, veterinary services, humane education, and Animal Protection and Control services, Larimer Humane Society cares for over 9,000 domestic, barnyard, and exotic animals each year. Larimer Humane Society is an independent, non-government, non-profit organization, and is not a part of any national humane organizations. For more information, visit www.larimerhumane.org.
Fort Collins Cat Rescue & Spay/Neuter Clinic is an adoption guarantee, nonprofit cat shelter and low-cost sterilization clinic for both dogs and cats. The organization is dedicated to the well-being of all cats and dogs in our community with emphasis on preventing pet overpopulation and on the sheltering and placement of surrendered or abandoned cats into loving, permanent homes. To further reduce pet overpopulation, our organization also provides spay/neuter assistance to low-income pet owners, and has a Community Cat Program that traps and sterilizes feral felines. Since its inception, the shelter has found homes for more than 7,900 cats, and the clinic has performed over 32,000 surgeries. For more information, please visit www.FCCRSNC.org