The Seattle Animal Shelter is offering free spay/neuter packages, microchips and vaccinations to pets this week – even to pet owners who don’t live in Seattle.
The free services are offered in recognition of World Spay Day, an international effort to promote the spaying and neutering of pets as the most effective and humane way to decrease pets being put down.
“Spaying and neutering allows your pet to have a longer, healthier, happier life,” Dr. Mary Ellen Zoulas, director of the shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic said in a statement. “It can reduce the risk of serious health problems, eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting and spraying, and reduce inter-dog aggression.”
Shelter staff said the Spay Day promotion offers significant savings for Seattle pet owners.
Spay and neuter surgeries usually cost $120-$155 for dogs, $85-$90 for cats and $75 for rabbits, according to shelter staff. Microchips are normally $30 and vaccinations run $10 each.
“Around the country millions of adoptable animals are unnecessarily euthanized every year because of overpopulation,” Mayor Ed Murray said in a statement. “One of the best things you can do for your community, and most importantly your pet, is to have your pet spayed or neutered.”
Pet owners are not required to live in Seattle, but pets of Seattle residents must be licensed. A license can be purchased the day of the appointment, and those prices range from $20-37.
To schedule an appointment, call 206-386-4260.
UPDATE: Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan told KIRO 7 that as long as pet owners made an appointment this week it would be honored, even if the next available appointment was after this week. As of Wednesday afternoon all appointments this week were booked.
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