WILMINGTON, DE, February 28, 2022 – Delaware SPCA and Delaware Humane Association (DHA), two statewide animal welfare organizations with adoption centers in Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, and Stanton/Christiana, recognize the financial strain many pet owners and animal caretakers face. Organizations like Delaware SPCA and DHA work to prevent animal surrender and overpopulation through services such as low-cost spay and neuter services, open both to the public and for those who adopt directly from their organizations.
Thanks to the generous support of the Delaware Animal Welfare License Plate Fund, Delaware SPCA and DHA are hosting a series of four free spay and neuter clinics throughout the state of Delaware in March and April. These four free clinics aim to provide critical medical services to owned outdoor cats in low- income families, unowned free-foaming cats, and owned ‘bully breed’ dogs in low-income families.
Patrick Carroll, Executive Director of Delaware Humane Association, states, “Offering free spay/neuter clinics helps at-risk communities where residents may struggle to obtain affordable veterinary care for their pets.” Carroll adds, “Essential pet medical services such as spay/neuter help to keep pets out of shelters and healthy in their homes.”
Lack of spaying and neutering can lead to explosive animal population growth, which in turn results in many homeless animals in Delaware and across the United States. It puts financial strain on those tasked with caring for animals, including governments, nonprofit animal shelters and rescue agencies, and animal advocates and caretakers. Spaying and neutering significantly reduces the number of animals being euthanized at open intake shelters or turned away at no kill shelters due to lack of space, decreases the cost of picking up and housing stray or unwanted animals, and lowers threats to public health and safety. It also increases the lifespan of pets and improves the quality of life of both people and animals alike.
“We encourage pet owners to take advantage of this essential service available for free to cats at Delaware SPCA in Stanton and to cats and ‘bully breed’ dogs at DHA in Wilmington,” says Liz Pashley, Director of Operations at Delaware SPCA. “By providing free spay/neuter to animals in our community on four different dates and at two locations, we are aiming to make it convenient for people to secure this lifesaving service for their precious pets.”
Delaware SPCA (455 Stanton Christiana Rd. Newark, DE 19713) free spay/neuter clinic dates:
• Thursday, March 10: Cats only. Please email wellness@delspca.org or call (302) 998-2281 to reserve an appointment as availability is limited.
• Friday, April 1: Cats only. Please email wellness@delspca.org or call (302) 998-2281 to reserve an appointment as availability is limited.
Delaware Humane Association (701 A St. Wilmington, DE 19801) free spay/neuter clinic dates:
• Tuesday, March 15: Cats and Bully-breed dogs only. Please email info@delawarehumane.org or call (302) 571-0111 to reserve an appointment as availability is limited.
• Tuesday, April 12: Cats and Bully-breed dogs only. Please email info@delawarehumane.org or call (302) 571-0111 to reserve an appointment as availability is limited.
All cats need to be transported in a hard sided carrier or secure trap. Free Rabies vaccines are included if animal is due.
All animals not receiving a rabies vaccinationnmust provide proof that vaccination is current at time of surgery. Any additional services rendered will be at the client’s expense.
Founded in 1995 and awarded through the Delaware office of Animal Welfare, the Animal Welfare License Plate Fund supports spay and neuter surgeries for community cats, low-income pet owners, and to supplement spay and neuter funds for Delaware shelters and rescues like DHA and Delaware SPCA. Special animal welfare license plates sell for $50 at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, with $35 from each sale going to the License Plate Fund. DHA and Delaware SPCA’s series of four free spay and neuter clinics are made possible only through the Delawareans who show their love for animals by purchasing these special license plates.
To learn more about Delaware SPCA and DHA’s free spay/neuter dates and requirements, please visit www.delspca.org and www.delawarehumane.org.
About Delaware Humane Association and Delaware SPCA
The mission of Delaware Humane Association (DHA) is to “make friends for life” by connecting people with animals, and by building strong relationships to better serve our community. The mission of Delaware SPCA, to prevent cruelty to animals, is brought to life through programs that provide shelter and adoption for unwanted and homeless pets, reduce pet overpopulation through affordable spay/neuter, and enable pet retention by providing low-cost veterinary services. These two well established animal welfare organizations are in the process of combining to have ever more impact on the animals and people they serve. Keep an eye out for more information, including the new name of the merger organization, in the coming months by visiting www.delawarehumane.org and www.delspca.org.
