In Walker County, vouchers aren’t just for schools but are available to residents for free spaying and neutering services for their pets as of this month, according to officials. Participating veterinarian offices will accept the vouchers, which also pay for microchipping and rabies vaccination.
Angie Teems, chair of the Walker County Board of Commissioners, said via email the Walker County Animal Shelter will have 40 vouchers available to give out each month.
“We want to help our citizens, and this is one way we hope to be part of the solution to the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats in our community,” she said.
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Spaying and neutering refers to a surgical procedure preventing animals from reproducing, Animal Services Director Bailey Clements said via email. It can reduce the roaming of animals, aggressive behaviors and spraying. It also can reduce the risk of future medical problems and expenses resulting from issues like testicular cancer, uterine infections, ovarian and breast cancers, according to a news release announcing the voucher program.
How to qualify
The voucher program is available to any citizen of Walker County, Animal Services Director Bailey Clements said. People can be added to the voucher request list by calling the county animal shelter at 706-375-2100, ext. 2, and speaking with a staff member. A person can receive a voucher for one dog or two cats and will be contacted by a staff member once they can visit the shelter and receive their voucher.
In Walker County, vouchers aren’t just for schools but are available to residents for free spaying and neutering services for their pets as of this month, according to officials. Participating veterinarian offices will accept the vouchers, which also pay for microchipping and rabies vaccination.
As of April 15, the animal shelter had over 200 citizens on its voucher wait list, with many having more than one animal, Clements said.
“These numbers show that most pet owners do see the importance of spaying and neutering but may not be able to cover the cost,” she said.
The new program will be funded solely through donations, according to the release.
New spay, neuter voucher program in Walker County launches to decrease strays
Teems encouraged people who want to improve animal welfare in Walker County to contribute to the voucher program online. Controlling the pet population will lead to fewer animals being housed in the shelter, official said.
SHELTER CRISIS
A crisis arose in the Walker County Animal Shelter in 2024 after around 900 dogs and 800 cats were surrendered by their owners according to a news release.
In the community, there’s been a large increase in the number of unwanted animals, Clements said, and the sum of strays and owner surrenders increases each year. Particularly in the South, there is a cultural difference for animal owners that contributes to the population of unwanted animals, she said.
“Animals are looked at as property more than as companions, and at times disposable,” Clements said. “This leads to backyard breeding, as well as numerous animals that are never reclaimed from the shelter.”
Participating locations
— Chickamauga Veterinary Clinic
— Cornerstone Veterinary Service
— Main Street Veterinary Clinic
— Villanow Animal Clinic
Additional locations will be added this month and can be seen on the county’s website
Source: Walker County
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Weak animal welfare legislation causes high numbers of strays and surrenders, she said.
“Owners are held accountable for their animals running at large or humane care violations, but there is nothing to prevent someone from surrendering litters of puppies or kittens multiple times,” she said. “Legislation requiring owners to spay and neuter their animals would help reduce both animal intakes, as well as the number of animals at large in the community.”
Clements said spaying or neutering domestic animals is the most humane solution to combat the overpopulation, and it will additionally help reduce the number of owned pets picked up by animal control or brought to the shelter.
“We know that many owners want to have their animals altered but are unable to due to the cost of the procedure,” Clements said. “A voucher program allows us to assist responsible pet owners, while trying to decrease the overpopulation of stray and unwanted animals.”
The shelter will accept requests from residents for the voucher program on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the release. Voucher recipients will be responsible for making appointments with participating veterinarians and transporting their pet for care.
Contact Leah Hunter at lhunter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.