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December 12, 2011

Jodee Taylor: Donation counts double for cats

By Jodee Taylor, jtaylor@record-eagle.com ----

I drive by a house that has a cat that gives birth so often, they’ve had the “Free kittens” sign professionally made.

“Get your cat fixed!” I scream as I pass, windows safely rolled up.

Of course, it’s not cheap to get a cat fixed. Typically, getting a female cat spayed — removing her ovaries and uterus under general anaesthetic — can cost $150, said Dr. Karen Mertaugh, a veterinarian and co-owner with her husband, Tom, of the Animal Medical Center on U.S. 31 South.

Someone hoping to get a new pet from the Cherryland Humane Society probably isn’t thinking about those costs when they see the cuddly little bundle of fur they just fell in love with. Local vets offer discounts through the humane society’s Veterinary Assistance Program, but it’s still $75 to spay a female cat.

And there are a lot of cats waiting for homes — about 60 at last count.

So Mertaugh and her colleagues are doing their best to make more cats adoptable.

They’re offering a deal through the humane society where you can make a $130 tax-deductible donation.

They’ll spay a female cat and give her a leukemia blood test ($55 value) and send her back to the humane society to await her new family.

But wait, there’s more!

They’ll spay and test another cat for free.

“There are so many cats right now,” Mertaugh said. “It’s not nice to have the huge expense right off the bat.” Mertaugh routinely neuters male dogs waiting for homes for free. It’s not as invasive of a procedure and can be done at the humane society.

The females go to Mertaugh’s clinic for surgery.

She said animals that have been fixed are happier and healthier.

Males aren’t out roaming, and females have less of a chance of tumors.

“In these economic times, it’s hard for people to afford (the surgery),” Mertaugh said. “The humane society doesn’t have a fund and what a great way to support the community during the holidays,” she said.

That’s how Lee Gwyn, of Grawn, saw it.

She doesn’t buy presents for many family members anymore because “we all have enough stuff” and instead gives to charity every Christmas.

She found out about the promotion on the clinic’s Facebook page.

The donation period runs through Dec. 22; call the humane society, 946-5116, for more information.

As a regular dog-walking volunteer at the humane society, she knew there was a need and it was a charity close to her heart.

Gwyn let the humane society staff choose the two cats to get fixed — sisters named Pixie and Priya. They’re about seven or eight months old, Gwyn said, and “really fun.”

And Pixie and Priya are ready for new homes, where no professionally made “free kittens” signs will be needed.

Jodee Taylor can be reached at jtaylor@record-eagle.com.

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