Through the years, we have sponsored a variety of programs to assist with the cost of spay/neuter surgeries. In 1993, we received our first disbursement from The E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust, and the board immediately decided to use that money to help spay/neuter as many animals as possible.  We are pleased now to report that the $25 rebate is back!  Residents of Danville and Pittsylvania County may come to the shelter (the office opens at 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) and pick up a certificate at least the day before the animal is taken to the veterinary clinic.  The animal must belong to a resident of Danville/Pittsylvania County and must reside with the owner in Danville/Pittsylvania County.  The certificate must be used and redeemed not more than four months after the date on the certificate. This certificate cannot be used if the animal was adopted from another rescue group or shelter.  No more than five certificates may be obtained during a 30-day period, and it cannot be combined with other of our spay/neuter programs.

We are committed to doing everything in our power to decrease euthanasia by decreasing the number of unwanted dogs and cats being born.  Since 1993, we have spent about $500,000 on our spay/neuter programs, and 75% of that money has helped Pittsylvania County residents.

At various times, we have had rebates of varying amounts.  We work with veterinary clinics to make sure their clients who are truly in need can have the surgery performed on their pets.  We have worked with a low-cost spay/neuter clinic.  We have worked with participating local clinics to pay for the complete cost of surgery during certain months.  As we have received complaints of neglect, we have paid for the full cost of the surgery, plus we have paid the owners for their permission to have the animal sterilized!  When owners release litters of kittens and puppies to us, we offer to pay for the surgery.  In 2005, when we contracted with The Humane Society of the United States to have a team spend two days reviewing our shelter operations, the reviewers reported that we had the best spay/neuter program of any shelter they had visited.

Spaying or neutering every dog or cat is the responsible thing for owners to do.  It is estimated that for every human born, there are 15 dogs and 45 cats born.  There are not enough homes, and there are even fewer good homes.

The medical benefits are numerous.  Neutering males decreases and often eliminates diseases that intact male dogs are prone to later in life, including diseases of the prostate, testicles, and other tissues influenced by male hormones.

Spaying female dogs and cats entirely eliminates diseases of the ovaries and uterus, and if performed before the first heat, greatly reduces the chance of mammary cancer.

Behavior is only positively affected by the sterilization surgery.  A neutered male cat’s territorial spraying is decreased.  And spayed or neutered dogs and cats fight less and wander less.  In fact, we cannot think of any reason not to have the surgery performed!

We are very pleased that the $25 rebate is available again.