Mississippi Spay and Neuter is working to end animal cruelty through effective population control.
Jackson, MS – September 29, 2015 - The Big Fix Clinic, a high-volume pet sterilization program run by Mississippi Spay and Neuter (MS SPAN), will be offering free spay and neuter surgeries to feral (wild) and stray cats in zip code 39213 until August 30th 2016.
“After reading the story about a local woman who lit a stray cat on fire and shared graphic photos of the act on Facebook, we knew that MS SPAN needed to step in and prevent future animal cruelty from occurring in our communities. Studies show that spay and neuter is the most effective way to control and ultimately reduce the population of outdoor roaming cats, while also being more humane and more affordable than archaic ‘catch-and-kill’ methods once used in decades past,” remarks Elaine Adair, MS SPAN’s Founder and President. “We know that most people want to do the right thing, but may not yet know that our services exist.”
Sharon Garner, Manager of the Big Fix Clinic, explains why humane methods work. “Killing stray cats actually causes what is called a vacuum effect, allowing new cats to move into a territory once the original cats have been removed. When all of the cats in a “colony” have been fixed, they protect their territory and their numbers will reduce over time through attrition.”
MS SPAN is holding an online fundraising campaign asking for $1,000 to fix 100 cats in this area. The nonprofit is in the running to win a cash prize during Jackson Restaurant Week, and will dedicate $1,000 of the prize money specifically to this campaign to match the donation goal if they win. MS SPAN relies on donations in order to keep the cost of spay/neuter services low, and receives no government funding. Supporters can give at msspan.org.
For residents of 39213 who are interested in fixing feral and stray cats in their area, please call 601-420-2438 for more information. Humane traps are available to borrow. All cats fixed in this campaign will receive a rabies vaccine and an ear-tip, which is an internationally recognized symbol that a cat has been spayed or neutered.
Mississippi Spay and Neuter’s pet sterilization program at the Big Fix Clinic proactively helps fight the Jackson Metro Area's dire pet overpopulation problem. The clinic is located at 100 Business Center Parkway in Pearl. Low-cost services are available to pet cats and dogs as well as stray and feral cats. Over 30,000 surgeries have been performed at the clinic since its opening in 2008.
Our Mission… To reduce euthanasia and suffering of homeless animals by providing affordable spay and neuter; by engaging the cooperation of the community and by raising awareness of pet overpopulation.
Over 70,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in Mississippi each year. A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years, while a pair of dogs and their puppies can produce as many as 67,000 puppies in 6 years. The solution is within reach of every pet owner with a commitment to spay or neuter.
Currently, MS SPAN provides pet owners living in 42 counties or 82% of Mississippi's residents with access to low-cost spay/neuter services either through their voucher program, high-volume spay/neuter clinic (the Big Fix Clinic), and/or through their referral services to the other 3 high-volume clinics around the state as well as referrals to other animal welfare groups with "Animal Care" funding. MS SPAN also offers free transport services from 3 locations in a 90-mile radius to the Big Fix Clinic. Since the organization’s founding in 2005, it has subsidized and/or performed over 59,000 surgeries.
For more information on Mississippi Spay and Neuter and its programs, call 601-420-2438 or visit www.msspan.org.
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