If you are a pet owner who hasn’t yet spayed or neutered your animal, consider doing so this spring. ‘Fixing’ your pet provides health benefits, increases life expectancy, an, sed most significantly, reduces the overpopulation of unwanted cats and dogs.

Lopez Animal Protection Society (LAPS) tries to offer two spay and neuter clinics per year, paying up to $115 toward the procedure During this spring you can bring your cat or dog to into Ark Veterinary Clinic and have him or her fixed for as little as $10 per cat and $20 per dog. LAPS has a limited amount of funds, and asks that participating pet owners pay as much as they can, so others in needs of funds can participate as well. Cost to the owner may increase if there are medical complications.

“Our motivation for doing this is that we still have unplanned litters of puppies and kittens on the island. “We’re still have a feral cat problem and find abandoned cats and it’s not always easy to find a home for these animals,” said Jane Albrecht, president of LAPS. “We also want to help people who are able to provide a safe home for animals, but can’t afford to spay or neuter them.”

Last year Lopezians brought in a total of 43 pets to the clinic.

Having your pet spayed or neutered prevents behavior problems, decreases aggression towards other animals, reduces the risks of some types of cancers and reduces the urge to roam and the risk of being hit by cars. It will not injure or change the personality of your pet.

“There isn’t a disadvantage of having your pet spayed or neutered said Joyce Myhr, secretary of LAPS.

LAPS keeps a database of all the pets that are fixed, so if your pet is lost or runs away, LAPS will have its information on file. Lat year LAPS reunited  21 missing cats back to their owners.

The clinics are supported by a PETCO grant and generous donations from the community. Contact LAPS at 468-2258 or 468-2591 to obtain a spay and neuter ‘voucher,’ which are only for Lopez island residents.