More than 25 national organizations have joined forces to launch #SpayTogether, a stimulus fund to help animal shelters and veterinary clinics perform 50,000 lifesaving spay/neuter surgeries in the wake of COVID-19. The effort will focus on states where the interruption in spay/neuter has hit hardest: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, California, Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma.
“These states currently don’t have the resources needed to clear the immense backlog of unaltered animals currently in animal shelters and foster care,” said Dr. Julie Levy, Fran Marino Endowed Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida. “Not to mention that we are entering kitten season and we will therefore see a dramatic increase in the number of community cats in communities across the country.”
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has forced communities in all 50 states to temporarily suspend non- emergency veterinary services such as spay/neuter surgeries. As states begin to reopen the economy, animal shelters and veterinary clinics in every state have backlogs of unaltered shelter pets, community cats and owned animals. This collaborative, historic initiative will provide surgery subsidy support grants, on-ground assistance, training in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, and discounted veterinary supplies and services to shelters and veterinary clinics affected by COVID-19. Participating spay/neuter veterinary clinics will be able to offer discounted operations to the public, providing much-needed help to underserved communities across the U.S.
Expert veterinary surgical support teams from the ASPCA, Animal Balance, ViDAS and Emancipet will provide on- site support, as needed, in the eight key states of focus. Community assessments that consider state and local emergency orders, equipment needs, and safety protocols will determine the timing of these activities.
“This initiative will offer lifesaving resources and services to those in the animal welfare community who have been affected by this devastating disease,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “Together we can help animal shelters and spay/neuter clinics clear their backlog and get back on their feet.”
Grant applications are due June 8. To learn more and apply for funding, visit www.animalsheltering.org/spaytogether.
#SpayTogether is possible thanks to the support of the Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund, PetSmart Charities, GreaterGood.org, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc, Banfield Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, ASPCA, Petco Foundation, BISSELL Pet Foundation, Michelson Found Animals, Clinic HQ, Animal Balance, University of Florida Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, PetPro Tele+, Emancipet, Georgia B. Ridder Foundation, IDEXX, Bark Avenue Foundation, ViDAS, DogsTrust USA, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, Peter and Ann Lambertus Family Foundation, Life of Riley, South Fork Foundation, and the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.