WEST AMWELL Animal Alliance, an animal welfare agency, announces the completion of its newly expanded and relocated low-cost spaying and neutering clinic at 1432 Route 179 in the “One Mile North” commercial plaza.
The new facility will enable the nonprofit organization to double the number of its low-cost spaying and neutering surgeries and expand its capacity to care for abused, abandoned and stray dogs and cats.
”We’re very excited about our new clinic and our increased ability to provide affordable and easily accessible low cost spay/neuter and wellness services,” said Anne Trinkle, founder and executive director of Animal Alliance. “There is an urgent need for a medical facility to give pets quality wellness care and sterilization surgery, regardless of owners’ income.”
The grand reopening coincides with the 10th anniversary of Animal Alliance, a charitable organization founded by Ms. Trinkle as a pet rescue and adoption agency.
”Affordable and accessible spay/neuter is a critical part of solving the pet overpopulation problem. We just cannot adopt our way out of it,” Ms. Trinkle said.
Planned Pethood low-cost spaying and neutering clinic opened three years ago with only two clinic days per month, steadily adding surgery days to get to its current three days per week. Over that time, more than 2,500 dogs and cats have been altered.
”Nearly 40,000 animals died last year in shelters and impoundment facilities in New Jersey because there were not enough homes for them,” Ms. Trinkle said. “In nearby Philadelphia, where many of Animal Alliance rescued pets come from, over 20,000 were euthanized due to shelter overcrowding.”
Features of the new facility include two modern surgery stations, state-of-the-art veterinary equipment, the Gilbert Cosgren Cat Adoption Room and expanded space to shelter more animals while they are awaiting adoption. The expanded lobby will offer a more comfortable setting to conduct pet adoptions.
Animal Alliance will increase its staff from three to five veterinarians with 10 decades of combined experience and a commitment to helping end pet overpopulation. Additionally, the clinic will include eight support staff, including professionally trained and certified veterinary technicians.
”It’s not just helping animals,” Ms. Trinkle said. “It’s helping people, too. Pets are part of the family, and we’re a resource for the community by offering essential veterinary health care services, particularly in a difficult economy.”
In addition to spaying and neutering surgeries, Animal Alliance offers low-cost vaccinations, medications, microchipping and blood work. The organization has rescued, fostered and found responsible new homes for 5,000 dogs and cats since 2002.
Animal Alliance is a nonprofit, volunteer agency that depends on donations to fund its programs such as rescuing pets in immediate danger from a variety of situations. Animal Alliance not only runs a pet adoption program and rehabilitates animals with special needs, but also provides low-cost spaying and neutering services at its Planned Pethood clinic for families who cannot otherwise afford this service.
For more information, call 609-818-1952 or visit www.animalalliancenj.org.

