Thursday, November 14, 2024

Free spay-neuter clinic returns to Okanogan County

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OKANOGAN – For the second time since May, Greater Good Charities Big Fix 2.0 brought its spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats to Okanogan County in response to the huge turnout for their services during the first visit last May.

Greater Good again collaborated with Team Okanogan Animal Rescue (TOAR) in the Agriplex at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds. During a four-day clinic from Oct. 14-17, 1,071 animals were treated. 

“During the first round of Good Fix clinics held in May, more than 1,000 dogs and cats were sterilized over a four-day period,” said Dr. Ruth Parkin, Medical Director of Greater Good Charities

In fact, the number of animals treated during this second clinic exceeded the earlier figure of 1,023 seen at the spring event. A total of 398 customers responded.

“The Good Fix Clinics in May…reached their capacity early morning every day, highlighting the overwhelming demand for accessible animal welfare services in these local communities,” said TOAR spokesperson Jill Servais.

According to figures provided by TOAR partners:

  • Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington State, faces a critical challenge in animal welfare with no county animal shelter or control officer.
  • Each year, more than 2,500 cats and dogs rely on a handful of small rescues for sheltering amidst limited resources for essential services like low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary care.
  • With 19 percent of residents living below the poverty line, access to free spay/neuter, vaccines, microchipping, and parasite prevention is crucial to supporting pet owners and curbing companion animal overpopulation.

The Big Fix 3.0 plans to return to Okanogan on June 26-29, 2025.

Mike Maltais:360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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