$13,000 grant will help spay, neuter dogs, cats

COEUR d'ALENE - Animal Allies of Idaho has received a $13,000 grant from the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to spay and neuter cats and dogs in its clinic for two area agencies.

The St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center in Coeur d'Alene will be able to provide Animal Allies certificates for free spay and neuter to its pet-owning clients and the Post Falls Animal Shelter will also be able to fix its adoptable dogs.

"The Post Falls Animal Shelter staff is diligent in trying to find homes for the unclaimed dogs that have been brought there by their own officers and county officers. Now all those adoptable dogs can be fixed, breaking the multiplication cycle," said Ronnee McGee, Animal Allies president.

McGee said Animal Allies is grateful to the ASPCA for providing the grant that will allow the nonprofit to provide this service.

"Only one in 12 cats and one in 10 dogs have life-long homes, so the need to reduce the growth of the population is urgent. And fixed pets live healthier and longer," McGee said.

Animal Allies opened its low-fee spay and neuter clinic in February on Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. It is usually open two days a week by appointment. The clinic only performs spay and neuter procedures, and offers core vaccinations for its patients at the time of surgery.

With four paid veterinary professionals and state-of-the-art equipment - but without the overhead of a full-service veterinary hospital - the clinic offers procedures with low fees which most area residents can afford. Volunteers perform a variety of tasks and McGee also volunteers as director.

Animal Allies of Idaho, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit with the mission of "sustaining a healthy pet population." Its only income is from service fees, grants and donations.

Info: www.AnimalAlliesID.org or call 719-0223.