By People for Animals
Hillside, NJ (September 20, 2011) – Petco is partnering with People for Animals’ (PFA) Low-cost Spay Neuter Clinic through regular Neuter Scooter pick-up and drop-off at selected Petco stores in NJ. This new free transportation service is intended to help pet owners to get their cats and dogs spayed or neutered at affordable prices.
“Many pet owners can’t afford the cost of surgery at a full-service veterinary hospital, especially in this economy. We hope that this partnership with Petco will help them do the right thing for their pets’ health at a price they can afford,” says PFA Clinic Director Jane Guillaume. “To reap the most health benefits, our veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering your pet between 4 and 6 months of age, before they go into heat or develop bad habits. It’s also important to alter pets before they ‘accidentally’ become pregnant.”
According to NJ Dept of Health and Senior Services statistics, in 2009 one out of every three healthy adoptable dogs that entered shelters in NJ was euthanized. Half of sheltered cats were put down. NJ shelters simply can’t save the huge numbers of accidental litters, strays and family pets that are brought to their doors every day. Pet overpopulation in NJ leads to the tragic death of over 40,000 cats and dogs in our shelters every year. Allowing a pet to have just one litter, even if homes are found for the puppies or kittens, means more animals in shelters will remain homeless and will have to be euthanized.
“That’s why it’s critical to provide affordable and accessible spay/neuter surgery in NJ. We are thrilled that Petco is working with us to help NJ’s pet owners and help prevent the births of unwanted animals,” says Guillaume.
The Neuter Scooter will make monthly stops at Petco stores in Middletown, Raritan, Brick Township, Union, West Orange and Totowa to transport cats and dogs to and from the Hillside Clinic for spay/neuter surgery. The next pick-up is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Raritan Petco on US Highway 202. The full schedule is available online. Additional Petco locations will be added in the future.
Appointments are required. For more information about this program, or to make an appointment on the Neuter Scooter, visit www.PFAonline.org/Petco or call PFA at 973-282-0890.
