By Hannah Benjamin
Sun Staff Writer
NORWICH – For this 5th time in 2017, not-for-profit All Animals Matter of Oxford has reached out to Compassionate Care Veterinary to hold another spay/neuter-a-thon in an effort to reduce the pet population in Chenango and surrounding counties.
Stevi and Matt Culverwell of Compassionate Care Veterinary in Norwich have offered reduced cost spay and neuters, which includes an initial exam, the spay/neuter, a rabies vaccine, post-pain meds, flea control and a nail trim. So far, hundreds of dogs and cats have been altered with the continued support of the Frances J. & Elizabeth Brisson Macksey Charitable Trust Fund and the Dorothy M. & Fred Hamilton Foundation.
The need for these spay/neuter-a-thons was determined after the Innovative Readiness Training was held by the U.S. Military in Chenango County for two summers in a row. In addition to providing medical, dental, and construction help, the IRT provided veterinary care and altered hundreds of pets with no residency requirements and at no cost to the client, but there was a huge waiting list.
Clients of this event must be screened and show up with their pets on a specific day and time, and usually pay about half of the already reduced cost. Founder of All Animals Matter, Diane Troxell says, "It takes a lot of planning and phone calls to make this event happen" and goes on to say that each time an event is held it goes more smoothly than the last. In one day, up to ten dogs can be altered as well as ten female and 30 male cats.
"We must often educate pet owners about pet's reproduction cycles," Troxell says. "Most people don't realize how often a cat or dog comes into a heat cycle. Cats, for instance, can reproduce 3 times a year or more. Female dogs are in heat for 3 weeks... most dog owners do not know this. Unless dogs and cats are fixed, the cycle goes on."
