Low cost spay/neuter program for county cats

A low-cost spay/neuter program for cats will be offered to lower income Ocean County residents on Valentine’s Day.

The program is sponsored by the Ocean County Health Department, the Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters, the Jersey Shore Animal Center and the Stafford Veterinary Hospital of Manahawkin.

The cat-only clinics will be held at the Jackson Fire House at Route 547, Hope Chapel Road, Feb. 14 and at the Southern Ocean County Resource Center, 225 Recovery Road, Manahawkin, Feb. 28. There is a two cat maximum per household.

Preregistration is necessary and applicants must qualify for participation based upon household income, which can be up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The cost is $35. For this program income verification is necessary. However, no pay stub is required to qualify if an applicant has proof of any public assistance, such as PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled), Family Care, U.S. Food Stamps, WIC (Women’s Infants and Children’s nutritional program), the federal school lunch program, or other entitlement program.

The procedures will be performed by licensed veterinarians using dissolvable stitches. At the time of the procedure, the cat will also receive a rabies shot. A mobile surgical van will be used to conduct the procedures. Only 30 female and 30 male cats can be taken care of each day. Therefore it is important that those who plan to take advantage of these services call to place their cat on the list. Northern Ocean County residents should call (732) 657-8086 and Southern Ocean County residents should call (800) 342-9738, ext. 7502, to preregister.