Pit Bulls and Cats Eligible for Low-Cost Spaying and Neutering

Owners of pit bulls, pit bull mixes and cats can look forward to special treatment as of late last month.

Those pets are now eligible for low-cost spaying and neutering, a program otherwise reserved for pets of low-income residents.

"We made the ordinance change to eliminate the low-income standard for pit bulls, pit bull mixes and cats because those are the animals that fill up the shelters and make up the highest population of the shelter," said Dave Dickinson, interim director of the on Bradshaw Road.

The new program will offer spaying and neutering at a rate of $15 for all pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and $10 for all cats. The owners must live in unincorporated Sacramento County or the city of Citrus Heights.

Dickinson said this surgery would usually cost between $70 and $200, depending on the size of the pet.

Sacramento County spokesman Zeke Holst said officials haven't seen a similar program anywhere else in the United States.

The program, which provides vouchers to be taken to a local veterinarian, will also offer free spaying or neutering for all feral cats. Participanting pets will also receive a rabies vaccination and one-year county animal license.

Dickinson said the overall goal of the change is to reduce the number of animals that end up in the animal shelter as strays.

"We always have pit bulls, pit bull mixes and cats up for adoption," he said. "[We do] run out of space in the shelter. Sometimes we do need to euthanize for space rather than behavior or medical reasons."

The vouchers are available online at http://sacanimal.org/, in person at the 3839 Bradshaw Rd. shelter, or via phone at 916-808-7729 (808-SPAY).

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