Due to the overwhelming success of the recent cat spay/neuter event in the area, the Animal Welfare Society/Cleo Fund and the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic (CSNC) will be teaming up again to offer substantially subsidized surgery rates to income-qualified cat owners in Lincoln County. The next event will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Time slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Income-qualified cat owners from Lincoln County dropped off 37 cats at the Lincoln County Humane Society in Edgecomb Dec. 22. The felines were picked up by the CSNC transport van. From there they were transported to the clinic in Topsham. By the time the cats were returned to their owners that evening they had been spayed or neutered and given a rabies immunization and health exam, all at a cost of $10 to the owner.

The Cleo Fund is a statewide spay/neuter program at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. Like the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic, its major goal is to lower shelter intake numbers and prevent animal cruelty through spay/neuter. It assists income-qualified Mainers in paying 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.

“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 homes,” said Sharon Secovich, Cleo Fund manager.

To reserve a space for the Jan. 20 event, please call the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic at 207-721-8395.