FELINE FUNDAMENTALS: Humane Society spay and neuter clinic reduces feral population | News
Several volunteers and professionals were hard at work Friday morning promoting responsible pet ownership during a spay/neuter clinic sponsored by the Humane Society of Cherokee County.
HSCC member Roxanna Ritchie said the May 10 reduced-price clinic at the Pets for Life building was strictly for cats, and participants expected to spay and neuter about 100 cats.
The clinics, operated by veterinarian Dr. Tim Synar, generally treat dogs and cats. Ritchie said the last 10 clinics have seen about 200 to 300 “fixed” animals. Green said the clinic fills a serious need in Cherokee County.
“You probably know that dogs can have two litters a year and cats can have up to four,” Ritchie said. “A female dog and her offspring could produce 67,000 kittens in six years, and a female cat and her offspring could produce 370,000 kittens in seven years.”
Synar said every community, especially Tahlequah, needs spay and neuter clinics like this one.
“I like doing rescue work and working with Vicky [Green] and Rhonda [Norris]. Vicky is excellent,” said Synar.
Green is Tahlequah’s animal control code enforcement officer. Norris is a registered veterinary technician.
“The city of Tahlequah is lucky to have someone who cares so much and works so hard. Every community has those needs and Tahlequah seems to do a good job of trying to meet those needs and alleviate a lot of those problems,” Synar said.
Synar said without cat clinics, a perpetual cycle of large feral cat populations is triggered, which raises public health concerns. Synar has worked with rescues on and off for more than 45 years, and over that time, he said, the need for clinics has grown.
“There is a greater need now post-COVID. There are a lot more wild animals. Everything has become more expensive,” Synar said. “I don’t think there are as many adoptions and everything has become more expensive, which translates into [fewer] people neutering them and possibly not as many adoptions. That translates into more feral cats, which translates into more babies and bigger problems.”
Misty Spray, a veterinary technician, said so many puppies and kittens make it difficult to bring together enough foster families. Spray said that in most clinics, veterinarians will only be able to do two or three spays or neuters per day, while Synar can complete 15 to 20 in an hour.
Norris said the clinic helps with overcrowding through spays and neuters at a lower cost. Surgeries at the bimonthly clinics typically cost a regular $20 copay, while the most recent one was done at a reduced price of $10.
“This is the best way we have found to deal with this horrendous overpopulation of dogs and cats in Cherokee County,” Ritchie said. “We do not have a municipal animal shelter. The city has a very effective animal control program in Tahlequah with the kennel, but it has limited space. Our no-kill shelter is licensed by the state for a specific number of dogs and cats, and we are always full with a waiting list.”
At the clinics, licensed veterinary technicians also administer the animals’ FVRCP and rabies vaccines. Green said flea and tick prevention is also available for purchase at the clinic.
“It’s a community-oriented project. It benefits the community in many ways – directly and indirectly – and it benefits the animals,” Synar said.
What is the next
Another cat-only clinic will be held on May 24th, with a dog and cat clinic on June 7th and 28th. Those interested in participating in future spay and neuter clinics can complete applications at www.humanecherokeecounty.org.
