Neuter scooter brings awareness

The Monroe County Humane Association is joining with local veterinary clinics and a traveling neuter scooter in hopes of curbing the number of animals euthanized each year. \nThe association is selling 350 spay and neuter vouchers for cats and dogs in honor of the 10th annual Spay Day USA. Vouchers run between $15 and $20 and cover the cost of sterilization and vaccinations. \n"Bloomington and the entire state of Indiana have an incredible overpopulation problem," said Erica De Santis, executive director of the MCHA. "seventy thousand new cats and dogs are born for every 10,000 people."\nThe vouchers purchased are redeemable at participating veterinary clinics and a traveling spay and neuter clinic called the Neuter Scooter. \nTess Peavy, D.D.M., the traveling clinic's surgeon, sterilizes about 1,000 cats a month. She said her goal is to reduce the abundant suffering and abandonment of pets.\n"We're coming up on a season when the cat and dog population really becomes a problem," said Peavy. "There is simply not enough space for all the animals that are born, so we end up killing them. "\nDana Beck schedules the Neuter Scooter's programs. She said the average Indiana animal shelter has a 60 percent euthanasia rate.\n"Our goal is to reduce this number so that every adoptable animal that comes into a shelter finds a home," Beck said. \nControlling the pet population is just one of the advantages to the program. Dogs and cats that are sterilized are less likely to roam, fight, have behavioral problems or develop cancer later in life. \n"Many behavioral problems are caused by hormones, so pets that are sterilized are going to be much calmer and relaxed," De Santis said. \nVouchers for cat sterilization in the Neuter Scooter will be available on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Big Lots on Bloomington's west side. The vouchers are $15 and cover vaccination and spay and neuter procedures. \nVouchers for dog and cat sterilizations redeemable at local veterinary clinics will be available on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Big Lots. The vouchers are $15 for cats and $20 for dogs. \nDe Santis said individuals purchasing vouchers will be required to show financial need and proof of Monroe County residence. She said the MCHA will cover the remainder of the costs. The MCHA could invest up to $10,000 to controlling the pet population in February alone if citizens take full advantage of the program, De Santis said. \n"The fewer animals born, the fewer that have to go to the shelter."\n-- Contact staff writer Nicole Beemsterboer at jbeemste@indiana.edu.