Tom & Mom Cat Special
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program
Helps
Struggling Families Keep Their Pets
With so many people experiencing
economic hardship, the need has never been greater.
During the economic downturn, the organizations that coordinate the
annual Tom & Mom Cat Special have all seen a rise in the number of phone
calls from folks looking for help for their pets – whether it is for
medical care, spay/neuter assistance, or food and supplies.
The Tom & Mom Cat team is made up of local Portland/Salem-area animal
rescue and welfare groups who have teamed up with participating veterinary
clinics to underwrite $10 neuter and $20 spay surgeries on cats from economically
stressed households. This program runs through St. Patrick’s Day
(March 17).
UPDATE (6/10/2010)
This year’s Tom & Mom Cat Special Spay/Neuter Program was a great
success. Thanks to our supporters and our fabulous veterinary partners, we
surpassed our goal – over
1055 felines were altered this year! In addition to helping these
cats, we also referred hundreds of community members who did not meet the
income restrictions to other low-cost spay/neuter options.
Who are our heros?
Animal Medical Clinic • Barclay Hills Animal Clinic • Best Friends
Veterinary Medical Center • Bethany Family Pet Clinic • Broadway
Veterinary Clinic • Clackamas County Veterinary Clinic • Community
Pet Clinic - Tigard • Companion Pet Clinic of Clackamas • Crossroads
Veterinary Hospital • Family
Pet Clinic of Newberg • Forest Heights Veterinary Clinic • Greenway
Pet Clinic • Moreland Veterinary Hospital • Mt. Tabor Vet Clinic • Newberg
Veterinary Hospital • Oswego Vet Hospital • Pacific Avenue Veterinary
Clinic • Pacific Veterinary Hospital • Salmon Creek - Companion
Pet Clinic • Santiam
Equine Cordon Rd. Vet Clinic • Sherwood Family Pet Clinic • St.
Johns Veterinary Clinic • Stark Street Animal Clinic • The Cat
Doctor • Tigard Animal Hospital • Town & Country
Animal Hospital • Valley Pet Hospital • Village at Main Veterinary
Hospital • Vista Pet Hospital • Walnut Street Veterinary • Willamette
Valley Animal Hospital
Did you miss your chance to get your cat spayed or neutered?
You can still
do the right thing! We encourage you to follow the Resources
in Oregon link for many more options.
What's the problem?
It's NOT just rabbits that multiply like rabbits...
Every year, Oregon shelters are forced to end the lives
of tens of thousands of unwanted pets.
Even though Portland has been named one of the most pet-friendly
cities in the US, the news is not friendly for our feline friends here:
- In 2008, approximately 60% of the 5000 cats that were taken into the
Multnomah County Animal Shelter were euthanized.
- In Washington County,
the news is just as grim – 65% of the 4251 cats taken in were euthanized.
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How does the Tom & Mom Cat Special work?
All appointments fall between Valentines Day, February 14 and St. Patrick's
Day, March 17.
Surgeries are performed by participating veterinarians. Note:
The participating veterinarians reserve the right to refuse to spay or
neuter any cat deemed unfit for surgery at the time of appointment.
Clients are responsible for paying the veterinarian $10 for male neuters
or $20 for female spays on the day of the surgery. Cash only, please.
The clinics will provide after-surgery care instructions.
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Who is eligible?
- Cat owners: This program is for low-income
households – typically, families whose income is supplemented
by some form of government assistance.
- Cats: Minimum age: 8 weeks; age/weight limitations
vary by clinic.
Note: Some but not all of the participating clinics accept feral cats.
An additional resource is the Feral
Cat Coalition. CLICK
HERE to learn more about it.
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How is this program being funded?
Every participating veterinary clinic has generously committed
to neutering a minimum of 10 male cats (Toms) for $10 each. Many clinics
have also agreed to spay a limited number of female cats (Moms) for a $20
charge, plus an additional $25 which is paid by the organizing non-profit
organizations and the event sponsors.
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But what do the cats think of this?
Remember that life in general is harder for cats that have not been
neutered or spayed. Remember that the act of procreation is not something
Fluffy does with joy – we're talking straight hormones here. Think "unbearable
itch" rather than "pleasurable act". And Springtime is the
worst.
In addition to
being an effective and humane means of decreasing the euthanasia of homeless
animals in shelters, neutering pets is an essential component of good pet
health care. It
may also eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting, spraying and roaming. This,
in turn, helps prevent injury and veterinary expenses.
For a fun (but not entirely fanciful) view of how a pet views
this issue, double-click on the lower "Play" button to watch
this great music video created by Alliance
for Humane Action
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