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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Free Fixes Not Selling City’s Spay-Neuter Giveaway Gets Off To A Slow Start

Spokane residents aren’t exactly jumping at the chance to get their pets fixed for free.

About 160 vouchers have been given away since the city’s spay-and-neuter giveaway program started Monday. That’s far fewer than expected.

“I hoped to give that many away in a day,” said Marianne Good of SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.

Voters in November approved a ballot initiative that dedicates one-tenth of 1 percent of the city’s general fund to the neutering of house pets.

Last month, the city unanimously approved a $97,500 contract with SpokAnimal to provide the services. Residents can choose from 11 different veterinarian clinics, including SpokAnimal.

That agency also contracts with the city to enforce pet laws, such as leashes and licensing.

About 2,000 pets can be sterilized a year through the city’s program, said Gail Mackie, SpokAnimal’s director.

The phone’s been ringing constantly with questions about the program, but only a small percentage of those callers request a voucher, she said.

She blames the low turnout on the requirements that people show pet licenses and proof of city residency. “We enforce responsibility,” Mackie said.

LaVerne Kettlety, who organized the petition drive, said the licensing requirement may damage the voucher program she hoped would decrease the unwanted pet population.

Residents who most need the program - those on limited incomes - can’t afford licenses, she said.

“This was done all wrong,” Kettlety said, adding that she planned for only one clinic to offer the service.

Mackie said she and the participating veterinarians tried to make the program as easy as possible. Interested residents can request a voucher by telephone or stop by SpokAnimal.

Walter Wrench picked one up last week. The manager of a financial services company said the program proved a great incentive to get his 4-month-old puppy spayed.

Wrench’s girlfriend gave him the part-Chow, part German shepherd puppy for Valentine’s Day. Since then, he’s “dropped a bundle on shots” for Queen, who, Wrench adds, is a “royal pain.”

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