Each year our community shelters euthanize thousands of animals. This does not include feral cats or strays killed by cars, starvation, disease and wild animals. We all know of the tremendous and heartbreaking waste that takes place daily in animal shelters, not only in our area, but nationwide. SNiP's founders want to see the number of homeless dogs and cats in our area decline and truly make a difference.

We find those pet owners who need our services through outreach efforts.  We also work with pet owners who have acquired large numbers of pets from strays or dumped animals that have continually reproduced. We work with young families just starting out and with senior citizens. Finally, we have the veterinarians themselves, who recommend our program when their clients need help.

Hopefully, as public awareness of our program increases, we will be establishing a solid base of donor support.

Whether you love animals or not, you will benefit from SNiP's success:

• When your pets are fixed, they are less likely to roam or act aggressively.
• They are usually healthier and happier.
• Animal control costs American taxpayers more than a billion dollars every year. Ending animal homelessness will reduce that cost dramatically.

Our goal is to make spay/neuter services affordable to those who might not otherwise spay/neuter their pets. By working together, we hope to popularize and facilitate spay/neuter services throughout the state and end pet overpopulation.

1) My pet will get fat and lazy.
Truth: Neutering or spaying may diminish your pet's overall activity level, natural tendency to wander, and hormonal balances, which may influence appetite.
Truth: Pets that become fat and lazy after being altered usually are overfed and do not get enough exercise.

2) We want another pet just like Rover and Fluffy.
Truth: Breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.
Truth: With mixed breeds, it is virtually impossible to have offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.

3) My pet's personality will change.
Truth: Any change will be for the better. After being altered, your pet will be less aggressive toward other dogs or cats, have a better personality, and will be less likely to wander.
Truth: Spraying (urine marking), which is often done by dogs and cats to mark their territory, diminishes or ceases after pets are altered.

4) We can sell puppies or kittens and make money.
Truth: Even well-known breeders are fortunate if they break even on raising purebred litters. The cost of raising such a litter -- which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other health care costs, and feeding a quality food -- consumes most of the "profit."
Truth: Well-known breeders raise breeds that they like. These breeders also try to improve the standard of the breeds they raise.

5) My children should witness our pet giving birth.
Truth: Pets often have their litters in the middle of the night or in a place of their own choosing. Because pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset. These intrusions can result in an unwillingness to care for the offspring or in injury to the owners or to the pet.

6) I am concerned about my pet undergoing anesthesia.
Truth: Placing a pet under anesthesia is a very common concern of owners. Although there is always a slight risk involved, the anesthetics currently used by veterinarians are very safe. Many veterinarians use equipment that monitors heart and respiratory rates during surgery to ensure that their patients are doing well under anesthesia. Thus, the medical benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anesthesia. Consult your veterinarian if your are concerned about this aspect of the procedure.