ASPCA survey shows an increase in kittens spring to fall season is really three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in fall. “One female and one male cat and their offspring can produce 1728 kittens in just 3 years….420,000 in 7 years” (http://www.peopleforanimals.net ).Those statistics are staggering.

We live in a world with a major overpopulation problem where there are 3-4 million animals euthanized a year. In April 2013, The Tennessean reported that Metro Animal Control  (Davidson County) had an intake of 10,000+ animals annually with a euthanasia rate of 76-78%.

How you can help:

1-Spay and Nueter your pets (and any feral ones in your community)

There are lots of low cost spay and neuter clinics in Middle Tennessee and financial support programs. The Pet Community Center just opened a new clinic in East Nashville and also offers a Trap Neuter Release Program to humanely help curb the feral cat program. View the list of resources available to help in Middle Tennessee. Read an article that also lists prices and additional details.

Here are some benefits of spaying and neutering your pets according to People For Animals
-
“Sterilization of your cat or dog will increase his/her chance of a longer and healthier life. Altering your canine friend will increase his life an average of 1 to 3 years, felines, 3 to 5 years. Altered animals have a very low to no risk of mammary gland tumors/cancer, prostate cancer, perianal tumors, pyometria, and uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers.”

-“Sterilizing your cat/dog makes him/her a better pet, reducing his/her urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt as they roam. Surveys indicate that as many as 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered. Intact male cats living outside have been shown to live on average less than two years. Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome is spread by bites and intact cats fight a great deal more than altered cats.”

2-Adopt a kitten or a cat

Consider adopting a kitten or a cat. Kittens are easier to adopt because they are so cute so take the time to consider rescuing a cat instead! Read an article about the pro’s of picking a cat instead of a kitten, published on Veterinary Partner.

Click here for a list of rescue groups, shelters and animal control agencies who will all have animals to adopt!

Other ways to help:

Foster, volunteer or donate time or funding to help support efforts.
You can even purchase an animal friendly license plate and $15.62 of the annual $56.50 fee will be “allocated to the Animal Population Control Endowment Fund.”http://www.tn.gov

Other Resources
Pet Statistics, ASPCA, http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics
Spay/Neuter Statistics: People for Animals, http://www.peopleforanimals.net

The post Kitten Season appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

One featured animal in the show is the Eastern Box Turtle, which is actually “the official state reptile of both North Carolina and Tennessee,” (http://www.boxturtles.com).

Did you know that it is illegal to have a turtle as a pet in Tennessee?

Eastern Box turtles are considered a threatened species (step prior to endangered) and thrive in their natural forest habitat filled with dense leaf cover. “Their territory consists of an area less than 200m in diameter,” (http://www.bio.davidson.edu) but their survival is threatened with urban development. The loss of rich habitat and an increasing number of accidents (hit by cars, trains, lawnmowers etc.) are greatly affecting their lifespan and ultimately their future.

If you find a turtle, what should you do?

Eastern Box Turtles were created with an amazing homing sense. This is especially important if you find a turtle crossing a busy street and want to help. Make sure you pick up the turtle and place him/her across the road in the direction he/she was heading. If you take him/her backwards, he/she will just try to cross the street again. If you just spot a turtle in the wilderness, leave him/her alone. If you find an injured turtle, contact our local wildlife center, Walden’s Puddle,  and record the “EXACT location where it was found so it can be returned there when it has recovered,” (http://www.waldenspuddle.org).

Other fun facts:
They are “The only turtle in Tennessee that can completely close itself in its shell (and very tightly) due to its broad hinged lower shell.” (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org)

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The post Tennessee’s state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle- LEARN MORE! appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Saturday we had to say goodbye to Addison, my beloved cat of 15 years (read more).

It was a heart wrenching goodbye and I thought it would be months before we would rescue another kitty or two and take them into our home. God had a different plan.

God’s Timing

Monday morning I received an email about a pregnant stray cat living in a warehouse. I contacted several rescues and spay and neuter services and was sad to hear that really there weren’t many good options for a pregnant feral cat. Either no one would help or they would just spay the kitty and kill the kittens.

I had wondered if we were supposed to care for the mom through her pregnancy and then help them all find homes. I kept praying about it. I was really excited about the opportunity to help a mom and watch kittens grow and be weaned. We wouldn’t normally ever have the chance as we always spay and neuter our pets because of the overpopulation problem.

I also knew the kids would love it as our oldest is watching butterflies and chicks develop in school right now. What a joy to care for a mom as she gives birth and cares for her babies.

Appropriate Rescue Steps

I checked with a vet to see what the best protocol was and she warned me that she needed to be tested for feline leukemia and HIV before determining anything. According to the ASPCA “FeLV weakens an animal’s immune system and predisposes cats to a variety of infections and diseases, including anemia, kidney disease and lymphosarcoma, a highly malignant and fatal cancer of the lymph system.” “Sadly there is no cure for FeLV, and it is estimated that less than 20 percent of clinically infected cats survive more than three years of active infection.” Feline Leukemia cats can’t be around other cats, have low life expectancy and thus are very hard to adopt.

I called my husband for approval to go and take the cat to the vet and just see…

On my way to the vet I prayed Lord guide me with what you want us to do. I haven’t even seen this cat, it may not be friendly, it may be sick, it’s not the timing of when I thought we would be getting a cat, is this what we are supposed to do? If the cat is not tame, it will be hard to find it a home. I hope it’s healthy. Please Lord, let the cat be healthy. I don’t know what I would do if it had Feline Leukemia.

Warehouse in Nashville

I arrived at the warehouse and met Miss. Kitty. She had been living in the warehouse since December. When the cold weather set in, she found a broken window, snuck in and made the warehouse her home. The employees brought her food and blankets and gave her love. Several employees came to say goodbye. They had clearly developed strong connections and cared deeply for the kitty but none were able to take her home.

I took Kitty to the vet for a thorough check up and to be tested for feline leukemia and aids.  I didn’t want to get too excited not knowing the outcome but surely God didn’t bring this cat into our lives just to have to her die.

Vet Visit

At 3:30 we got the call from the vet she was negative on the two tests but had hook and round worms, easily treatable. She said she definitely was pregnant and to expect kittens in 2-14 days. She said she purred while they examined her and seemed to be a good one:) I asked how old she was and she said probably not even a year, she’s what we call a “teen mom”.

The girls and I ran by PetSmart to pick out toys, liter and some quality kitten food (pregnant mom’s diet) then we went to pick her up. We brought her home and created her own space in a bathroom with food, a treehouse, toys and a liter box. She hadn’t gone to the bathroom in a liter box yet but cats pick it up fast.

Foster or Adopt?

I still wondered if we would keep her forever or just foster her through the birth and weening of her kittens. As we got her settled she immediately took to us all. She couldn’t get enough love, getting in anyone’s lap that would let her and rubbing up against everyone. My five year old, my non emotional child, started to cry because she was so affectionate and sweet.

A Sign

At dinner time my daughter went and got her library book that she had picked out that day at school. It was a picture of three cats that looked just like the one we brought home and had a section about giving birth to kittens. My daughter hasn’t brought home a cat book all year long. It was a sign to me that we should keep her but my husband still hadn’t met the cat.

My husband got home late that night and the girls went to bed anxious for an answer but he and I needed to talk about it and he needed to visit with her too. It only took a few minutes before he too fell in love and was making her a nesting box to have her kittens in. We decided we would keep her forever and probably one of her kittens although our 5 year old is hoping for two kittens, one for each of our girls:) God really has the most wonderful sense of humor!

We will be documenting the development of the kittens on the website, please keep posted…

Watch June, our rescued cat give birth to kittens and the development of them through the weaning stages. Kitty Cam available at http://straymagnet.com/watch-kittens-live

Other Resources:
Tips to Rescuing an animal

The post Rescuing a Pregnant Stray Cat appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Read the Full Report: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/states/humane-state-rankings-2013-mt-wy.pdf

A few Highlights: Tennessee Legislation DOES NOT INCLUDE

-“Require state emergency response plans to include pets.” Those of us who remember the 2010 flood know the importance of having a plan in place to help families and their pets when emergencies occur.

Cruelty: TN Does NOT

-“Felony penalty for cockfighting”
-”Place limits on the inhumane chaining of dogs”

Animals in Research: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the use of animals in product testing when an approved alternative exists”
-“Prohibit research facilities from obtaining pets from animal shelters”

Puppy Mills: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the stacking of cages at puppy mills”
-“Prohibit wire flooring at puppy mills Includes a puppy lemon law”
-“Restrict the sale of animals at outdoor sales and/or flea markets Includes a pet store disclosure requirement on the source of animals”
-“Limit the number of breeding dogs confined at puppy mills”

Misc: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the sale of dog and cat fur”
-“Restrict the consumption of dog and cat meat”
-“Prohibit greyhound racing”

Farm Animals: TN Does NOT

-“Include protections for farm animals”
-“Include protections for downed animals too sick or injured to walk”
-“Include humane slaughter standards”

Wildlife: TN Does NOT

-“No Felony penalty for illegally hunting an endangered species”
-“Prohibit the private possession of primates as pets”

Horse Related: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit horse tripping, or roping the legs of a galloping horse”
-“Prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption”

Want to get involved? http://straymagnet.com

Engage with HSUS’s Tennessee’s efforts, learn more

The post HSUS 2013 Humane State Rankings appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

From PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals)  January 14, 2014

“Nashville, Tenn. – Just days before Ringling Bros. arrives for its opening night in her home state of Tennessee, 13-year-old Noah Cyrus—whose well-known family’s home is in Nashville—stars in a new PETA Kids video that reveals how circuses beat elephants and tigers into performing. The Disney star’s goal? To get kids to say no whenever friends, family members, or teachers suggest taking a trip to the circus.

“We all know how awful bullies are, and circuses bully animals every day,” Cyrus explains. “Elephants used in circuses are forced to perform tricks by trainers who beat them and jab them with metal hooks. . . . And as for tigers—they get whipped when they don’t do exactly what the trainers want.” She concludes, “You have the power to stop this cruelty by refusing to go to circuses and by telling your friends and family why.”

As Ringling Bros. heads to Nashville, Cyrus is also appealing directly to the city’s school board with a letter, available here, urging officials to adopt a policy against field trips to circuses. “Ringling routinely gives discounted tickets to schools, including Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, in order to increase its profits,” she writes. “The only thing that kids learn from a circus performance is that it’s acceptable to bully animals for human entertainment. That’s a terrible lesson that should never come with the school’s endorsement.”

The abuse starts early for elephants used by Ringling: PETA has obtained compelling photos taken inside Ringling’s breeding facility that expose how baby elephants are stretched out, slammed to the ground, gouged with bullhooks, and shocked with electric prods. In 2011, Ringling Bros. paid the largest fine in circus history—$270,000—for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Known for her film voiceover work and her appearances alongside big sister Miley on Hannah Montana, Cyrus joins a growing list of celebrities—including Alec Baldwin, Jada Pinkett Smith, Edie Falco, Cloris Leachman, and Wilmer Valderrama—who have teamed up with PETA to speak out against circuses that abuse animals.

For more information, please visit PETAKids.com.

Media Release on PETA’s site: http://www.peta.org

The post Noah Cyrus Calls On Kids To Refuse To Go To The Circus appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

For the first time, there’s another mother in our house for us to consider.

We rescued a stray pregnant cat a month ago and she had kittens 10 days ago. While we were sad to miss the birth because we were out of town, June did it all herself! (Watch the kittens live on our kitty cam).

Mama Cats Do Everything Themselves

Mama cats are impressive!! They find a quiet place (nesting box) and in most cases do everything themselves. They give birth to the kittens, cut (bite) the ambilical cords and eat the placenta. The first weeks of  their life kittens depend completely on mama for warmth, food and even going to the bathroom as she has to lick their to release their waste. That gives a whole new meaning to unconditional love.

New Meaning to Caretaking

Also, watching 6 helpless kittens crawl all over her gave me a new perspective on caring for others and not having any personal space:) She’s doing such a great job of taking care of her kittens and it’s all natural instinctive behavior. They are born with the ability to know how to give birth and care for their kittens.

Our job is to care for her-make sure she is getting enough food and love while she cares for her young. On this mother’s day, I want to acknowledge all the other animal mamas out there who go to great lengths to care for their offspring. Thank you for all you do for others!

The post Happy Mother’s Day! appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Programs:

Nashville Humane Association: “No fee over three” for the month of August

For the month of August, “any cat/kitten who has been in the shelter 3 months or longer and all cats over the age of three have NO ADOPTION FEES.

View their adoptable cats online, visit in person to see the kittens and meet all the wonderful adoptable cats.
View their adoptable dogs.

Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 352-1010

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 10AM – 5PM
Closed Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 12Pm-5PM

Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC): Feline Frenzy Adoption Event all cats $5 through October 9

“Feline Frenzy at Metro Animal Care and Control. All adult cat adoption fees have been reduced to $5, from July 12-October 9.” “All animals offered for adoption are checked medically, spayed or neutered, and up to date on vaccinations.” (MACC Website) MACC has lots of wonderful cats and kittens in need of good homes. You can view some of their available pets online at. The best thing to do is visit the center in person!

View MACC’s Adoptable pets of the week
View other adoptable pets on petfider

Metro Animal Care and Control
5125 Harding Place
Nashville, TN 37211
Phone: (615) 862-7928

Adoption Hours:
Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The post Adoption Specials: Help Save Lives appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

I wondered if people were just ignorant and hadn’t grown up with cats to feel differently. I fear cats get a bad rap. Let’s make the case for cats.

10 reasons cats are great pets:

1. They are devoted and loyal companions.

2. They enjoy attention. Every cat is different. Some would love to sit in your lap for hours while others seek you out for some occasional petting. They all love attention when they ask for it.

3. Patting a cat is therapeutic and good stress relief.

4. They are clean creatures who bath themselves regularly.

5. They are immediately potty trained. How amazing is that? An animal that naturally goes to the bathroom in a liter box and wants to stay clean.

6. They sleep roughly 16 out of 24 hours of the day.

7. They are great hunters and will happily take care of any little pest problems you might have in the house.

8. They love people/attention but also are independent and can entertain themselves. They can also entertain you! Watch some funny cat videos sometime-they play the piano, chase their tails, sleep in the strangest places and attempt some amazingly high feats.

9. There has been much research supporting positive health affects from owning a pet. The CDC, reports that “Pets can decrease your: Blood pressure, Cholesterol levels and Triglyceride levels” (all which minimize your risk for heart attacks). They can also help with your mental health decreasing “Feelings of loneliness” and “anxiety” being a stress reducer.

10. As far as pets go, they are pretty low maintenance.  They don’t need to be walked, bathed or have cages cleaned. They need shelter, food, a clean liter box and routine medical attention (yearly check up, shot(s) and monthly flea/tick treatment).

You don’t have to be a cat person to like cats and to help.

“In the U.S., there are an estimated 6–8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted. Tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions.” (Humane Society of the United States)

According to Alley Cat Allies ”More than 70% of cats who enter our nation’s animal control pounds and shelters are killed.”

How you can help:

-Adopt
-Foster
-Spay &  Neuter
-Rescue
-Advocate for community cat programs in your area
-Donate

Additional Resources:
“10 Health Benefits of Owning a Pet“, Woman’s Day Magazine

“Top Ten Reasons You Should Adopt a Cat“, PetMD

“Amazing Cat Facts“,  Pet Insurance-101

The post The Case for Cats appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Kitten season starts in the spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in the fall. According to the Pet Community Center, “Each year in Nashville over 10,000 animals are euthanized because of pet overpopulation.” “Spaying and neutering makes a big difference: Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!” (PETA)

Middle Tennessee has lots of spay and neuter services, financial assistance programs, and low cost clinics.

A full list of those can be found at http://straymagnet.com. Below we we highlight a few mobile options, clinics and financial assistance programs.

Mobile Services:

Rover (Davidson County Residents)

Website: www.nashvillehumane.org
Rover is the Nashville Humane Association’s mobile surgical unit. “ROVER travels four days a week and is staffed by a Veterinarian, Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT), Veterinary Assistant and Project Coordinator.” You can’t miss the big yellow bus which offers practically free -$10 spay and neuter services to qualifying individuals.

To qualify: you need to live in Davidson County and bring proof of one of the following: food stamp card, free school lunch program card or WIC documentation, disability letter or V.A. disability letter, last year’s tax return statement, public housing rent receipt or Section 8 letter, or Social Security income documentation.

To set up your appointment:
1-Call 615 352-4030
2
2-complete the patient information packet at http://www.nashvillehumane.org

The Spay Station (Wilson County)

The Spay Station is a New Leash on Life 33-foot mobile veterinary clinic. The Spay Station offers FREE spay and neuter services to those who demonstrate financial need.

To qualify: participate in ANY of the following programs: “food stamps, public housing, disability, WIC, Families First, SSI OR Medicaid.” While the Spay Station primarily serves residents in Watertown and Lebanon anyone (group or individual) may sponsor the spay station ($1,100) for their county. The Spay Station runs solely off of grants, donations and sponsors.

For an appointment or more information, please call 615-444-1196.

Spay & Neuter Programs and Low-Cost Services

Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

1033-B Union School Road
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 452-2233
Website: www.sumnerspayneuteralliance.org
Email: info@sumnerspayneuteralliance.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $25
Male dog $45, Female Dog $55

To schedule an appointment; call (615) 452-2233, Monday – Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Beesley Foundation

2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37217
(615) 890-6878
Website: www.beesleyfoundation.org

Cost:
Male Cat $40, Female Cat $45 (add $15 if pregnant or in heat)
Male Dog range $50-$90 depending on weight, Female Dog range $65-$100 depending on weight, exact fees available at http://www.beesleyfoundation.org.

Why prices are low:
1-”We are a non-profit clinic run by Beesley Foundation and supported in part by donations and fundraisers.”
2-”We only provide spay/neuter services and do not have the overhead required for full-service clinics.”

To Sign up for an appointment: Click here to download their application. “Fees for surgery (and required shots) must be paid before an appointment is made. When we receive your application with payment, we will call you to make an appointment.”

Fix for Life Spay & Neuter Clinic

511 W. Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 453-2349
Website: newleashonline.org
Email: fixforlife@newleashonline.com

“Fix for Life, an initiative of New Leash on Life, is a spay/neuter clinic that is dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation in Wilson and surrounding counties by providing high volume, high quality, low-cost sterilization services. Spay/Neuter services are offered to shelters, rescue groups as well as the general public and you do not have to qualify financially to use our services.”

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40
Male Dog under 50lbs $40, over 50lbs $50, Female Dog under 50lbs $50, over 50lbs $65
*Prices sometimes decrease when they receive grants, call regularly to inquire.

Call for an appointment (615) 453-2349 Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic

738 B. North Main St.
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-5353
Website: www.mtsnc.org

Cost: Cat $30 Dog $45

Who Qualifies: “Anyone on state or federal assistance including TNCare, food stamps, disability, reduced or free lunch etc., anyone who adopts from an animal agency, animals in the care of a rescue, humane or animal control, anyone with barn or feral cats (not owned pet cats) and those on fixed income. A 1-2 person home under $30,000. For each additional person add $6,900.
*Thanks to a grant provided by ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) we are able to offer a discount of $20 off a surgery for big dogs over 50 pounds.”

Financial Assistance Programs:

Pet Community Center

Financial assistance and transport available to Fix for Life Spay-Neuter Clinic.
(615) 512-5001
Website: www.petcommunitycenter.org
Email: info@petcommunitycenter.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $38 (includes rabies vaccination and ear tip)
Male Dog $45-$55 (based on weight), Female Dog $55-$70 (based on weight)
Full list of prices available at http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.
Book an appointment by completing their questionnaire.
*Financial Aid may be available, contact them for more information.

People for Animals

Financial assistance and discount certificates available.
Franklin, TN
Website: www.peopleforanimals.net
Email: PeopleForAnimals@comcast.net

Process:
 Call (615) 794-8925 to talk to a volunteer who will determine the level of assistance available and the appropriate vet clinic for the surgery. The pet owner then calls the clinic to schedule the surgery.
List of programs and services
List of vets they work with (accept PFA certificates)

Nashville Humane Association

Discount certificates called “Friends of Animals Certificates” are available for purchase to use at participating clinics
. Anyone can purchase!
213 Oceala Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 352-1010
Website: www.nashvillehumane.org

Cost:
Male Cat $51, Female Cat $65
Male dog $64, Female Dog $90


List of participating vets

Cheatham County Animal Awareness Foundation (Cheatham County Residents)

Spay neuter services and financial assistance program for residents of Cheatham County. The Spay Station comes once a month to spay and neuter cats and small dogs and large dogs are performed at a local vet clinic.

Website: www.cheathamcountypaws.org

Call or email for more information:
Call for cats and small dogs (615) 829-8984
Call for dogs over 40 lbs (615) 578-1262
Email: cheathamcountypaws@hotmail.com

Local Trap and Release Programs:

The Pet Community Center also have a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program called Feline Fix. For more information visit www.petcommunitycenter.org
Together with Nashville Paw Foundation they are offering a spring program called Free Feral Cat Mondays. They will fund the sterilizations for 120 cats Fix For Life. The two dates left are May 6 and May 13. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.

Additional Resources:

“Pet Statistics: How Many Pets are in the United States?/ How many animals are in shelters?/ etc.” ASPCA
“Why Spay/Neuter?” on People for Animals
“Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance” on Alley Cat Allies
“Feline Spay + Neuter” by Mark Waldrop, DVM on Nashville Paw
“Spay and Neuter FAQs” from the Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

The post It’s Kitten Season; Help Control Overpopulation by Spaying and Neutering Your Pets appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Kitten season starts in the spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in the fall. According to the Pet Community Center, “Each year in Nashville over 10,000 animals are euthanized because of pet overpopulation.” “Spaying and neutering makes a big difference: Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!” (PETA)

Middle Tennessee has lots of spay and neuter services, financial assistance programs, and low cost clinics.

A full list of those can be found at http://straymagnet.com. Below we we highlight a few mobile options, clinics and financial assistance programs.

Mobile Services:

Rover (Davidson County Residents)

Website: www.nashvillehumane.org
Rover is the Nashville Humane Association’s mobile surgical unit. “ROVER travels four days a week and is staffed by a Veterinarian, Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT), Veterinary Assistant and Project Coordinator.” You can’t miss the big yellow bus which offers practically free -$10 spay and neuter services to qualifying individuals.

To qualify: you need to live in Davidson County and bring proof of one of the following: food stamp card, free school lunch program card or WIC documentation, disability letter or V.A. disability letter, last year’s tax return statement, public housing rent receipt or Section 8 letter, or Social Security income documentation.

To set up your appointment:
1-Call 615 352-4030
2
2-complete the patient information packet at http://www.nashvillehumane.org

The Spay Station (Wilson County)

The Spay Station is a New Leash on Life 33-foot mobile veterinary clinic. The Spay Station offers FREE spay and neuter services to those who demonstrate financial need.

To qualify: participate in ANY of the following programs: “food stamps, public housing, disability, WIC, Families First, SSI OR Medicaid.” While the Spay Station primarily serves residents in Watertown and Lebanon anyone (group or individual) may sponsor the spay station ($1,100) for their county. The Spay Station runs solely off of grants, donations and sponsors.

For an appointment or more information, please call 615-444-1196.

Spay & Neuter Programs and Low-Cost Services

Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

1033-B Union School Road
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 452-2233
Website: www.sumnerspayneuteralliance.org
Email: info@sumnerspayneuteralliance.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $25
Male dog $45, Female Dog $55

To schedule an appointment; call (615) 452-2233, Monday – Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Beesley Foundation

2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37217
(615) 890-6878
Website: www.beesleyfoundation.org

Cost:
Male Cat $40, Female Cat $45 (add $15 if pregnant or in heat)
Male Dog range $50-$90 depending on weight, Female Dog range $65-$100 depending on weight, exact fees available at http://www.beesleyfoundation.org.

Why prices are low:
1-”We are a non-profit clinic run by Beesley Foundation and supported in part by donations and fundraisers.”
2-”We only provide spay/neuter services and do not have the overhead required for full-service clinics.”

To Sign up for an appointment: Click here to download their application. “Fees for surgery (and required shots) must be paid before an appointment is made. When we receive your application with payment, we will call you to make an appointment.”

Fix for Life Spay & Neuter Clinic

511 W. Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 453-2349
Website: newleashonline.org
Email: fixforlife@newleashonline.com

“Fix for Life, an initiative of New Leash on Life, is a spay/neuter clinic that is dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation in Wilson and surrounding counties by providing high volume, high quality, low-cost sterilization services. Spay/Neuter services are offered to shelters, rescue groups as well as the general public and you do not have to qualify financially to use our services.”

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40
Male Dog under 50lbs $40, over 50lbs $50, Female Dog under 50lbs $50, over 50lbs $65
*Prices sometimes decrease when they receive grants, call regularly to inquire.

Call for an appointment (615) 453-2349 Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic

738 B. North Main St.
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-5353
Website: www.mtsnc.org

Cost: Cat $30 Dog $45

Who Qualifies: “Anyone on state or federal assistance including TNCare, food stamps, disability, reduced or free lunch etc., anyone who adopts from an animal agency, animals in the care of a rescue, humane or animal control, anyone with barn or feral cats (not owned pet cats) and those on fixed income. A 1-2 person home under $30,000. For each additional person add $6,900.
*Thanks to a grant provided by ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) we are able to offer a discount of $20 off a surgery for big dogs over 50 pounds.”

Financial Assistance Programs:

Pet Community Center

Financial assistance and transport available to Fix for Life Spay-Neuter Clinic.
(615) 512-5001
Website: www.petcommunitycenter.org
Email: info@petcommunitycenter.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $38 (includes rabies vaccination and ear tip)
Male Dog $45-$55 (based on weight), Female Dog $55-$70 (based on weight)
Full list of prices available at http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.
Book an appointment by completing their questionnaire.
*Financial Aid may be available, contact them for more information.

People for Animals

Financial assistance and discount certificates available.
Franklin, TN
Website: www.peopleforanimals.net
Email: PeopleForAnimals@comcast.net

Process:
 Call (615) 794-8925 to talk to a volunteer who will determine the level of assistance available and the appropriate vet clinic for the surgery. The pet owner then calls the clinic to schedule the surgery.
List of programs and services
List of vets they work with (accept PFA certificates)

Nashville Humane Association

Discount certificates called “Friends of Animals Certificates” are available for purchase to use at participating clinics
. Anyone can purchase!
213 Oceala Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 352-1010
Website: www.nashvillehumane.org

Cost:
Male Cat $51, Female Cat $65
Male dog $64, Female Dog $90


List of participating vets

Cheatham County Animal Awareness Foundation (Cheatham County Residents)

Spay neuter services and financial assistance program for residents of Cheatham County. The Spay Station comes once a month to spay and neuter cats and small dogs and large dogs are performed at a local vet clinic.

Website: www.cheathamcountypaws.org

Call or email for more information:
Call for cats and small dogs (615) 829-8984
Call for dogs over 40 lbs (615) 578-1262
Email: cheathamcountypaws@hotmail.com

Local Trap and Release Programs:

The Pet Community Center also have a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program called Feline Fix. For more information visit www.petcommunitycenter.org
Together with Nashville Paw Foundation they are offering a spring program called Free Feral Cat Mondays. They will fund the sterilizations for 120 cats Fix For Life. The two dates left are May 6 and May 13. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.

Additional Resources:

“Pet Statistics: How Many Pets are in the United States?/ How many animals are in shelters?/ etc.” ASPCA
“Why Spay/Neuter?” on People for Animals
“Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance” on Alley Cat Allies
“Feline Spay + Neuter” by Mark Waldrop, DVM on Nashville Paw
“Spay and Neuter FAQs” from the Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

The post It’s Kitten Season; Help Control Overpopulation by Spaying and Neutering Your Pets appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.