NEW ULM - A low-cost spay and neuter clinic hosted by Forever Home Animal Sanctuary, Inc. drew cats and dogs from as far away as Fairmont and Brownton on Thursday at Oak Haven Campground.
Suzy Guggisberg, who operates Forever Home Animal Sanctuary in rural New Ulm with her husband Pete, said she was looking for a spay and neuter clinic site when her cousin Kevin Finstad offered a building at Oak Haven Campground.
The clinic was put on by the Minnesota Neuter Assistance Program which offers services to income-qualifying families.
Article Photos
Staff photo by Fritz Busch
Kevin Finstad of New Ulm and MNSNAP (Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program) volunteer Sharon Small of Mankato hold kittens Thursday at a spay and neuter clinic at Oak Haven Campground.
By late Thursday morning, 30 cats and seven dogs were brought to the clinic.
The Forever Home Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit entity that provides long-term or lifetime care for animals that have experienced abuse, neglect, or have other special needs.
Animals at SNAP clinics come from low-income families, shelters and rescue organizations.
"More than 90,000 animals in Minnesota have been spayed or neutered by SNAP to help reduce pet overpopulation," Pete Guggisberg said.
Mobile surgical units operated by SNAP travel to pre-scheduled destinations for the day. Staff members admit animals, collect fees and licensed veterinarians perform pre-operative physical exams.
Patients are anesthetized and surgically sterilized with the latest medications, equipment and surgical techniques. All animals are discharged to their owners/caretakers or to their rescuers and shelters the same day.
According to SNAP, sterilized pets tend to live longer, healthier lives. They are less likely to stray, are more loyal and have fewer behavioral issues.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).