According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Mainers love their cats. Maine is the second highest cat-owning state in the United States with 46.4 percent of Maine households owning a cat. Although Mainers love their cats, they can’t always afford to have them spayed or neutered. That is why the Animal Welfare Society/Cleo Fund and the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic (CSNC) have teamed up to help with the cost of fixing 30 cats from Lincoln County.

On Dec. 22, income-qualified cat owners residing in Lincoln County will be able to drop off their cats at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb where they will be picked up by the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic transport van. From there they will be transported to the clinic in Topsham and returned to the shelter for pick-up by their owners the same day. Cats will be have received a health exam, spay/neuter surgery and a rabies vaccine at a cost of $10 to the owner.

Since opening in 2010, the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic has sterilized more than 20,000 dogs and cats. According to Dr. Elizabeth Stone, chief veterinarian at the clinic, her mission is to reduce pet homelessness and euthanasia. The clinic serves low-income families who cannot otherwise afford this service, Stone said. “Most people find the cost of this procedure a barrier. They know it is the right thing to do, and they know it will help with behavioral issues, but the cost is a major concern.”

The Cleo Fund is a statewide spay/neuter program located at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. Like the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic, its major goal is to lower shelter intakes and prevent animal cruelty through spay/neuter. The Cleo Fund assists income-qualified Mainers to pay for spay/neuter services by teaming with local veterinary practices and providing vouchers for use at those practices. The client is asked to contribute a modest co-pay toward the cost of surgery, the veterinary clinic is asked to discount their costs and the Cleo Fund pays the difference.

According to Sharon Secovich, Cleo Fund manager, the Fund was the first organization in Maine to recognize spay/neuter as a means of combating animal cruelty and euthanasia. Since 1971 the Fund has facilitated the spaying/neutering of more than 45,000 cats and dogs.

“People love their pets but often just need a little help with some of the costs of owning a pet. We want to keep pets in their home,” said Secovich.

To reserve a space for the Dec. 22 event, please call the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic at 207-721-8395. Slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.