Over 3.5 million animals are euthanized in animal shelters each year in the United States, making pet overpopulation the leading killer of cats and dogs in our country. The majority of pet overpopulation comes from unaltered pets living in low-income neighborhoods.
Animal Network is dedicated to changing that by educating, enabling and encouraging Manatee County citizens on how they can be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Our Pay to Spay Program launched on May 31, 2014 with a cooperative effort with the Humane Society of Manatee County, who offered low-income qualified pet owners free vaccinations. Animal Service Officers’“Boots on the Ground” program was tasked with distributing English/Spanish flyers in targeted neighborhoods.
One hundred and fifty pets were vaccinated and fifty dogs, puppies, cats and kittens signed up for sterilization. The pet owners will receive a $10 gift card to Walmart and be entered in a drawing for a 32” flat screen TV.
Future events will target other low-income areas throughout the county. We invite the community to support these efforts financially or through education.