By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

 

NEDERLAND — The city will begin its spay-and-neuter program Friday. The service is first come, first serve and will cease once the funding runs out until Fiscal Year 2020, which starts in October.

Applications for financial assistance are available at City Hall at 207 N. 12th St. or can be printed from the city’s Facebook page.

A complete application must include a copy of the applicant’s state-issued ID and a copy of a utility bill.

The program began in 2016 as a pilot program. Since then, the city as added the spay-and-neuter program to the Animal Control Department’s budget.

A chart is attached to the application showing the income ranges eligible for the program and costs ranging from free to $40.

Households earning $100,000 or more are not eligible for the program.

During a city council meeting this week, City Manager Chris Duque said $3,000 was allocated to the program.

In 2016, the city spayed or neutered 49 animals at the cost of $3,425.

The numbers dropped over the past two years to 19 animals in 2017 and 22 animals in 2018 at the cost of $1,535 and $2,640, respectively.

Duque said he expected to see the program pick up this year.

“The spay-and-neuter program is part of the city’s effort to control the pet population,” he said. “If some pet owners had the means to spay/neuter their animal, then there would be less animals abandoned or roaming streets and neighborhoods. This program provides a humane way to manage the pet population along with the city’s other animal control services.”

A meeting will be scheduled with applicants to verify eligibility and financial eligibility will be determined through W-2s, self certification or another method.

Pet owners must prove their animals have been vaccinated for rabies. If an owner brings their pet to be spayed or neutered without proof of vaccination, the veterinarian will vaccinate at the cost of the owner as the rabies vaccination is required by law.

Applicants will be able to choose between veterinarians David Willie and Aaron Spiegel.

For information, call the Nederland Animal Shelter at 409-723-1541.