By The News-Enterprise
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 1:53 am (Updated: September 28, 2:00 am)
Two local spay and neuter programs have joined forces to battle Hardin County’s pet overpopulation.
Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter, also known as FOHCAS, has merged its Spay/Neuter Assistance Program with Hardin County Pet Protection’s Pet Pros Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic. The clinic now will be known as the Pet Pros/FOHCAS Spay and Neuter Clinic.
Hardin County Pet Protection began assisting low income families with the cost of spay and neuter in 1988. The charity has since provided spay and neuter assistance for more than 30,000 pets, in addition to donating more than $100,000 to Hardin County Animal Control.
Much of the funding for HCPP’s charitable programs is raised by selling donated goods at Buried Treasure Thrift Shop in Elizabethtown. HCPP will continue to operate Buried Treasure Thrift Shop and the proceeds will continue to be utilized for expenses related to the operation and maintenance of Pet Pros as well as donated directly to FOHCAS and other non-profit animal rescue groups to continue the mutual spay and neuter efforts.
Hardin County Pet Protection made an initial donation of $5,000 to FOHCAS Sept. 16.
“The alliance of HCPP and FOHCAS will allow us to help a far greater number of pets in need by working together than either charity could by working alone,” said Wendy Johnson, Treasurer of Hardin County Pet Protection, Inc., in a news release. “We are filled with optimism for the future of the Pet Pros SNAP Clinic and look forward to working with the wonderful team of volunteers from FOHCAS.”
FOHCAS will take over the management of the clinic, which will include processing applications from potential clients, surgical scheduling, payroll and medical supplies. The group expects to continue their partnership with the three veterinary clinics in town for special cases and senior pets. The established veterinary team at Pet Pros will not change under the new arrangement.
“We are honored that Hardin County Pet Protection is entrusting us with the management of the spay/neuter clinic,” said Julia Springsteen, a co-founder of FOHCAS, in the release. “We hope that through this partnership the monies donated to us for spay/neuter services will go further and we can continue to reduce the pet overpopulation problem in our county.”
Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter will continue to support the animal shelter, as they have done since forming in 2014. The group provides vaccines, equipment and marketing of the adoptable pets at the shelter through social media. They also serve as a liaison between the shelter staff and rescue groups across the country.
The first spay/neuter day at Pet Pros/FOHCAS Spay and Neuter Clinic is set for today, when the group expects to fix 40 pets. Slots still are available and can be arranged at www.FOHCAS.org.
