In Ohio, a humane animal clinic is offering vital low-cost neuter/spay services for the area’s dogs.
According to a report from ABC13 Action News, Humane Ohio, a clinic based in Toledo, is on a mission to get as many dogs in Ohio and Michigan neutered or spayed as they can. Laura Simmons-Wark, the clinic’s Executive Director, says, “The demand for spay-neuter never stops. In fact, it’s picked up quite a bit since 2020, when more people were getting pets. There is a nationwide shortage of vets. At the same time, the demand for surgery continues to increase.”
As is the case, Humane Ohio is no exception. “We see so many unwanted litters of puppies being born in our community, and that means shelters…are filling up quickly with unwanted dogs. Spay/neuter surgery is the solution to that,” says Simmons-Wark.
Subsidizing Low-Cost Neuter/Spay Procedures for Local Dogs
With this in mind, Humane Ohio has developed a program called The Big Fix. Working with local shelters, the program sends a spay/neuter coupon to everyone who’s purchased a dog license in two local counties. Community donations and government subsidies help cover the majority of the cost. As a result, the coupons help incentivize dog parents to have their dogs fixed, while also making it more accessible to lower-income dog parents. With the coupons, the procedure costs only $15, plus the licensing cost.
So far, the program has been a success. “Last year alone, more than 300 licensed dogs in Lucas County and more than 120 in Wood County were fixed through the Big Fix program. Since the inception of the Big Fix, more than 4,000 licensed dogs have been spayed and neutered in the two counties.”
Still a Job To do
However, Simmons-Wark says there’s still work to be done. “In Lucas County in 2022, there were more than 41,000 dogs licensed. 29% of those dogs were not spayed or neutered. That is a huge number we have to work together to reduce.”
On top of that, the program is set to change in the coming year. Next year In Lucas County, only “Pitbull-type dogs” will be eligible for the coupons. And in neighboring Wood County, the procedure’s cost will go up to $20.
Regardless, Humane Ohio will keep working to get area dogs fixed and educate parents about why it matters to get your dog spayed or neutered.
