Delaware Humane Association to Host Four Free Spay and Neuter Clinics for Animal Lovers Statewide Beginning this Thursday, February 18th
Animal Welfare License Plate Fund helps DHA cover cost of vital medical services for cats and dogs
WILMINGTON, DE, February 15, 2020 – Delaware Humane Association (DHA), a statewide animal welfare organization with adoption centers in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, recognizes the financial strain many pet owners and animal caretakers face. Outdoor and free-roaming cat colony caretakers are also faced with the challenge of increasing cat populations, especially as we enter kitten season. DHA works to prevent animal surrender and overpopulation through services such as low cost spay and neuter services, open both to the public and for those who adopt directly from the organization. Thanks to the generous support of the Delaware Animal Welfare License Plate Fund, DHA is hosting a series of four free spay and neuter clinics beginning this Thursday, February 18th at DHA’s Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Animal Care Center (701 A St. Wilmington, DE 19801). All four free clinics will be open to the public and all Delaware residents are eligible.
Founded in 1995 and awarded through the Delaware office of Animal Welfare, the Animal Welfare License Plate Fund supports spay and neuter surgeries for community cats, low-income pet owners, and to supplement spay and neuter funds for Delaware shelters and rescues like DHA. Special animal welfare license plates sell for $50 at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, with $35 from each sale going to the License Plate Fund. DHA’s series of four free spay and neuter clinics are made possible only through the Delawareans who show their love for animals by purchasing these special license plates.
This series of free spay and neuter clinics comes at a particularly important time we head into kitten season. “March typically means we’ll begin to see an increase in cat intake due to the birth of so many new kittens,” says Courtney Anderson, Director of Animal Welfare at DHA. Anderson adds, “We are thrilled to have the ability to offer four different free spay and neuter clinic dates to our Delaware community of animal lovers.”
Lack of spaying and neutering can lead to explosive animal population growth, which in turn results in many homeless animals in Delaware and across the United States. It puts financial strain on those tasked with caring for animals, including governments, nonprofit animal shelters and rescue agencies, and animal advocates and caretakers. Spaying and neutering significantly reduces the number of animals being euthanized at open intake shelters or turned away at no kill shelters due to lack of space, decreases the cost of picking up and housing stray or unwanted animals, and lowers threats to public health and safety. It also increases the lifespan of pets and improves the quality of life of both people and animals alike.
The first free spay and neuter clinic will be held on Thursday, February 18 at DHA in Wilmington. This first clinic is for outdoor and free roaming community cats living in Southern Delaware only. Kittens must be at least 4 months old to be eligible for surgery, and all cats must be transported in a hard-sided carrier or trap. Surgery days only cover the cost of spay and neuter services, as well as a 1-year Rabies vaccine. Any additional services will be an out of pocket expense with payment due the day of surgery. Sussex County cat caretakers who need transportation assistance can bring cats to DHA’s Rehoboth Beach adoption center, where DHA staff can transport them to our medical facility in Wilmington. Cats must be dropped off at the Rehoboth Beach adoption center (18675 Coastal Highway Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971) between 7 – 7:30 AM on Thursday the 18th and can be picked up at the same location later that evening.
Other free spay and neuter clinic dates are:
- March 18th, 2021: Cats only, focusing on outdoor/free roaming community cats in New Castle County and surrounding areas.
- April 10th, 2021: Cats only, focusing on outdoor/ free roaming community cats in Sussex County and surrounding areas.
- April 20th, 2021: Dogs only, focusing on mixed bully breeds such as Pitbull, Mastiff, etc. in New Castle County and surrounding areas.
DHA embodies the spirit “making friends for life” by connecting animals in need with loving members of the Delaware community. It’s because of DHA’s supporters that they are able to continue to support homeless or injured animals and find loving families to care for them. To sign up for one of the four free spay and neuter clinics, please call DHA directly at 302-571-8171. Folks with additional questions can reach out to Courtney Anderson, Director of Animal Welfare, at canderson@delawarehumane.org. To contribute to DHA and support other animals in need, please visit www.delawarehumane.org/donate/.
About Delaware Humane Association
Delaware Humane Association (DHA), located in both Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, is a nonprofit, no-kill animal care and adoption center. DHA’s mission is to make “friends for life” by connecting people with animals, and by building strong relationships to better serve the community. DHA is committed to providing for the needs of homeless and owned dogs and cats by providing temporary shelter, affordable spay and neuter services, low cost vaccination clinics, a pet food pantry, adoption and placement resources, and more. For more information, or to donate, visit delawarehumane.org and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @delawarehumane.
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Media Contact
Cory Topel
Marketing Manager, DHA
