Spay, neuter assistance slashed

The Georgia government has provided free spay and neuter services to low-income residents across the state. The program has been funded through motorists’ purchase of special “spay/neuter” license plates.

Now, the funding for the program has been significantly slashed.

Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter director Susan Fornash said she received a fax recently from the Georgia Department of Agriculture informing her that Madison County’s allotment from the state has been cut from three to one spay/neuter per month.

“There are a lot of pet owners who want to do what is best for their animals, but with the economy the way it is, they couldn’t afford it,” said Fornash. “People didn’t have to give up their dignity to utilize this program. It was their tax money coming back to them.”

Fornash said many people are giving up their animals in the tough economy.

“So spaying and neutering is more important than ever,” she said.

Fornash noted that Gov. Sonny Perdue is a former veterinarian and expressed disappointment that he would cut funding for spaying and neutering animals.

The shelter director urged county citizens to write or call their legislators about the funding cuts.