Dakin to Offer Free Spay/Neuter to Select Communities

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society has received a $199,400 grant from PetSmart Charities to be used by the Dakin Community Spay/Neuter Clinic. This grant will provide free sterilization for pet cats of low income residents living in the following communities or zip codes:

Franklin County: Greenfield, Orange, and Turners Falls
Hampshire County: Belchertown, Ware, and South Hadley
Hampden County: Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield (01104, 01105, and 01108 zip codes only)

Across the Pioneer Valley, more than three-quarters of the animals entering area animal shelters are cats. In 2010, of the nearly 6,000 homeless animals served by Dakin, more than 4,000 were cats. As part of Dakin's Three Year Plan to Adoption Guarantee, we must reduce the number of litters born to cats. This grant will help us assist those community members who want to neuter their cat but have no financial resources to do so.

Why these communities? Of the 75 towns Dakin served in 2010, nearly 50% the kittens came from only these 11 communities! Our plan is to strategically reach the people whose cats are most likely to have kittens that end up homeless. And our statistics tell us to start in these towns.

All qualified cats will receive spay/neuter surgery, a rabies and FVRCP (distemper) vaccinations.

Clients just need to call the Clinic to schedule an appointment at 413-781-4019. You'll need to provide proof of residency and of financial need. Assistance with transportation may be available.

Don't live in one of the "target communities" or need help with your dog? No problem! We can still help. Give us a call and let's talk about options!