The need for spay and neuter, by the numbers
6 million-8 million: Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year.3 million-4 million: Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year.3: Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year.4-6: Average number of kittens in a feline litter.420,000: Number of cats one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce in seven years.2: Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year.6-10: Average number of puppies in a canine litter.67,000: Number of dogs one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce in six years.Source: Humane Society of the United States
After just a few short weeks of existence, new nonprofit ChattaNeuter has seen, spayed and neutered more than 400 pets and strays. And that's just the beginning, said Executive Director Anna Baker.
"On any given day, there are about 1,500 homeless or stray dogs and cats in the Chattanooga area," she said.
The goal is to help dramatically decrease that number.
ChattaNeuter, which resides in the space formerly occupied by Brainerd Animal Hospital, is capable of doing approximately 30 dog and cat spay/neuters on any given day.
A grant from Maddie's Fund, a national foundation which assists animal wellfare groups, allows for the free spay or neuter of up to 200 cats from the 37421 ZIP code.
"For anyone who is in this ZIP code and knows of feral or community [unowned] cats in the neighborhood, we want to get them in and get them spayed/neutered," Baker said of how the new establishment is focusing on the community since opening Feb. 13.
The clinic offers pet owners the option of vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, heartworm testing and FeLV/FIV testing for their pet at the time of the animal's spay or neuter. Those services are not available outside of that spay/neuter appointment.
"We want to keep our veterinarian in surgery all day instead of coming out for wellness checks and other services," Baker explained. "That is how we can be high-quality/high-volume is by keeping her in surgery."
The new nonprofit clinic is in need of volunteers to assist with early morning check-ins as well as donations to aid with building maintenance costs, she added.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit chattaneuter.org or call 531-7729.