VANCEBURG | A Lewis County animal rescue group is asking for help to raise funds for the spaying and neutering of pets.
Jennifer Richards, a volunteer secretary for the Kentucky Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the group, along with Friends of the Lewis County Animal Shelter, is asking for people in Lewis County and the surrounding areas to save soda and beer cans.
“We’re collecting the cans and taking them to recycling,” Richards said. “We will then put the money into an account for the spay/neuter program.”
Richards said the spay/neuter surgery for an animal, which includes a rabies shot, can cost anywhere from $95 to $140, depending on the veterinarian.
“It’s expensive, but spaying or neutering a dog can prevent 36 to 88 unwanted puppies in a dog’s lifetime because many of those puppies wind up dumped in shelters. When the shelters get overcrowded, some of them have to be euthanized,” Richards said.
Richards said anyone in Lewis County who needs assistance to get their dog or cat spayed or neutered can contact her office and fill out an application. Low income families who are approved may have a portion to all of the surgery expense covered.
“The minimum coverage for low-income families is $50,” Richards said. “We will always pay that, but we try to cover the full surgery amount, depending on how much funding we have.”
Richards said the group is picking up cans in Mason and Lewis counties. Anyone with cans to donate can call 606-798-2784 and someone will pick up the cans.
“We’re just asking for everyone to save their cans for us,” Richards said. “It will help keep down the population of unwanted animals.”
