Clinic wants to fix pet overpopulation

A snip here and a snip there may just put an end to the large number of animals euthanized each year in San Joaquin County, Calif. That's the idea behind a new veterinary hospital that opened there in July and performs only spays and neuters. Since opening, the ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic has sterilized more than 500 animals.

But that is nowhere near enough. The nonprofit, high-volume, low-cost clinic has a goal of sterilizing at least 7,000 cats and dogs within the first year and 14,000 animals per year thereafter. More than 14,000 homeless cats and dogs are euthanized every year in San Joaquin County shelters.

Located in Stockton, Calif., the clinic was started by Rose Hilliard, executive director of ACT Spay and Neuter Clinic and a member of the Abandoned Cat Team, a nonprofit rescue organization. The clinic is modeled after the Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Asheville, N.C., and mentored by The National Spay/Neuter Response Team (NSNRT).

The goal of the NSNRT, along with the two clinics, is to reduce euthanasia by controlling the pet population. ACT Spay and Neuter Clinic is able to do its part by offering inexpensive surgeries-cat sterilization costs $36 to $56 and dog sterilization runs $66 to $86.