County offers cash-strapped pet owners a break

A discount spaying and neutering program to cut down on the number of unwanted pets in the area begins Tuesday at the Horry County Animal Care Center near Conway.

The service is geared towards lower-income families, but anyone is eligible to bring their pets in for the surgery at prices that are lower than what many veterinarians charge.

The Horry County Council funded the clinic for $75,000 this year in response to animal activists’ concerned about the growing number of unwanted pets in the county.

Kelly Bonome, operations manager at the shelter, says the surgery also provides health and behavioral benefits for the animals.

“They are not as likely to run off, they are not as likely to be biters, they are at less risk for certain cancers — so the benefits of spaying and neutering are phenomenal,” Bonome said.

“But if you call our local vets around here, it’s very expensive to go,” Bonome said.

While the procedure can cost upwards to $250, the county care center is charging $40 for a dog and $20 for a cat.

“If you are on any public-assistance program, you are automatically qualified, it’s that simple,” Bonome said.

All that’s needed is a public-assistance card or letter showing unemployment, she said.

For those who don’t qualify for the government assistance, the cost is $80 for a dog and $50 for a cat.

The forms are available online to begin the process, followed by a phone call to the center to schedule the procedure.

Pets must be at least 12 weeks old, have been treated for fleas and ticks, and have proof that certain medical tests have been performed as well as certain vaccinations in the last year to ensure only healthy pets are undergoing the surgery.

The spay and neutering clinic was originally designed to be held once a month, but Bonome said they adjusted those plans in order to meet their goal of 20 to 30 surgeries a month and will schedule the procedures when needed.

When the clinic begins Tuesday, only a half-dozen dogs and cats will be taken in for surgery.

“We’ll keep going each month until we get our goal while making sure we’re doing responsible work,” Bonome said. “If I have to bring in an additional vet, I have some funds available.”

The staff veterinarian already conducts nearly 200 spay and neutering procedures a month on shelter animals to prepare animals for adoption, Bonome said.

“We have limited space and still have to maintain the animal care center itself, but we’re planning cautiously and hoping to do great, because a spay or neutered animal is a happier animal and a safer animal,” she said.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 6:11 PM with the headline "County offers cash-strapped pet owners a break."