Generous donor sponsors the cost of 25 surgeries on Thursday, May 24.
HOUSTON, TEXAS, May 9, 2018 – For one day only, Special Pals is charging 25-cents for a spay or neuter surgery. During the 25 For 25 event, pet parents will pay just one quarter, thanks to a very generous donor and animal welfare advocate. The donor approached Special Pals with an offer to cover the remaining cost of the 25 spay and neuter surgeries.
“When we were asked to host this event, we knew how important it was to the community to make it possible,” says Elizabeth Trick, the executive director of Special Pals. “When it comes to the pet population, we take the approach that prevention of accidental litters is the most significant action that can be taken to avoid contributing to the approximately 100,000 animals each year whose lives end with destruction.”
Special Pals began offering discounted spay and neuter surgeries to the community in 2010. In 2016 and 2017, the program sterilized more than 2,000 dogs and cats, effectively preventing at least 6,000 unwanted litters.
“The more discounted spay and neuters we can offer the community, the more accidental litters we can prevent, and the less chance there is that unwanted animals end up here at the shelter, or at other shelters where they may be euthanized,” says Trick.
Special Pals’ status as a no-kill animal shelter means they do not euthanize animals to make space in the facility. The programs and services offered alongside animal adoptions aim to decrease euthanasia in the community, and contribute to the success of Houston becoming a “no-kill city”. It’s a philosophy that requires a multi-faceted approach, and Special Pals affirms that spay and neuter is the single most critical piece.
As one of the only animal shelters in the city with this policy, they are also one of the first that people turn to when they have an unwanted dog or cat. “Resources like fosters and funding are limited, so we can’t always say yes to intake requests,” says Trick. “We receive as many as 100 requests per day and we can only accept 40-60 each month. It is hard for everyone when we have to say no.”
With the help of future donors and sponsors, Trick hopes that this is the first of many 25 for 25 events. “We aim to offer free or extremely reduced fee spay and neuter surgeries on a recurring basis; it’s a key piece of the no-kill movement and it is critical to stop the senseless killing of animals,” Trick said.
Pet parents wishing to get their dogs or cats spayed or neutered should call or email the shelter to schedule an appointment for May 24.
The 25 For 25 event is limited to the first 25 appointments, but regular price spay and neuter surgeries can be scheduled with Special Pals at any time. Neuters for male animals start at $43 and spays for females start at $55. Prices are based on the weight of the animal and can be found on the Special Pals website, www.specialpalsshelter.org/clinic. All proceeds generated by spay and neuter surgeries help provide continuous care for the adoptable animals at the shelter waiting for their forever homes.
25 For 25 Event Details
When: Thursday, May 24 – by appointment only
Contact: 281-579-PETS (7387) or email clinic@specialpalsshelter.org
About Special Pals:
Special Pals is a limited-intake, no-kill animal shelter located in West Houston. As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we strive to make the world a better place by providing temporary shelter and health care for homeless cats and dogs until their forever home is found, an alternative to euthanasia, and educating the community about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering. We offer dog and cat adoptions, boarding, low-cost wellness clinics, and low-cost spaying and neutering.