February 10th, 2012
Animal Shelter to offer free pet spaying/neutering

STAFF REPORT

City of San Marcos Animal Services and San Marcos Mutt Strutt will participate in Spay Day USA for free spaying and neutering of pets on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Spaying and neutering protects pet health, improves pet behavior, and lessens the burden on animal shelters and taxpayers,” said Bert Stratemann, city animal services manager. “We encourage our citizens to participate by spaying or neutering their pets as part of Spay Day USA 2012.”

Appointments for both cats and dogs will be accepted for the Spay Day clinic. Clients will receive free spaying or neutering for up to five pets.

For an appointment, please register online at www.emancipet.org/spay-neuter/appointment-request-form/ or call Emancipet at (512) 587-7729.

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is located at 750 River Rd, San Marcos.

Spay Day USA is a national campaign of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The free spaying/neutering service is provided via grants and donations. To donate, contact San Marcos Animal Services at (512) 805-2650 or www.sanmarcostx.gov/animaladoptions, or San Marcos Mutt-Strutt at www.sanmarcosmuttstrutt.org for more information.

Since Spay Day USA’s inception in 1995, participants have altered more than 1.5 million animals.

The City of San Marcos Animal Services serves all of Hays County. In addition to animals relinquished by residents, the facility receives animals collected by San Marcos Animal Control, Kyle Animal Control, Buda Animal Control and Hays County Animal Control. The shelter is a full service facility with 24 dog runs, euthanasia facilities, cat holding facilities, quarantine runs for dogs and an isolation room for quarantine cats. The shelter is maintained 365 days per year. The city’s Animal Services Division provides response calls for service involving stray animals, non-domestic or wild animals, dead or injured animals, animal related bite cases, and cruelty and neglect investigations.

The shelter is open six days a week to the public for adoptions and reuniting lost pets with their owners. Shelter staff welcome all citizens, volunteers and community groups. For more information and hours of operation, visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/animaladoptions or call (512) 805-2650.

Mutt Strutt, a non-profit 501(c)(3) group, was established to benefit the homeless pets of the San Marcos Animal Shelter. The organization provides wellness services, spay/neuter surgeries, and vaccinations to the shelter’s cats and dogs. There will be an annual Mutt Strutt fundraiser event this April. For more information, see www.sanmarcosmuttstrutt.org/.