June 28, 2018: Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic; Subsidized service reduces pet overpopulation.

June 28, 2018: Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic;
Subsidized service reduces pet overpopulation.

By Cheryl Parrott, Hintonburg Resident.

Got a cat? Don’t want to add to the pet overpopulation problem? Can’t get to the City Spay/Neuter clinic way out in the Colonnade Business Park? Can’t afford the cost of getting your pet spayed or neutered.

The Ottawa Humane Society has the answer with their Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic service for cats. This is a subsidized service for low-income pet owners in targeted Ottawa neighbourhoods.

The mobile clinic visits 15 different communities on a regular basis so people can access the service. Tom Brown Arena parking lot in Hintonburg is one of their locations.

To be eligible for this service you must show proof that your address is in Ottawa and proof of annual income under $30,000 (Ontario Works or ODSP stub, OSAP forms or screen shot of funding, most recent notice of assessment, most recent T4(s), most recent pay-stubs (three), letter of referral from a social worker).

This program helps address the problem of cat overpopulation in Ottawa while providing a service for pet owners who may not be able to afford traditional veterinarians or the City Spay/Neuter Clinic.

The program is for cats only and an appointment for up to two cats can be scheduled. Cats must be between four months and eight years of age and the cost is $20 per cat.

Registration is done online at tinyurl.com/yb4c8twj .

[ http://www.ottawahumane.ca/?s=mobile+spay+neuter+clinic ].

or by phone 613-725-3166, and due to the volume of appointment bookings, it may take up to 10 days to get a response. It is really heartening to hear that this is a very busy service.

The City Spay/Neuter Clinic used to be located on Bayview Road just north of Scott St. and was always a well-used resource relocated some years ago to Colonnade Road.

Twenty years ago there were lots of stray cats in Hintonburg, not nearly as many today. Many residents did their part helping find homes for those cats and adopting kittens from feral colonies.

It is gratifying to see Pet Stores with rescue cats for adoption and of course the very impressive Feline Café on Wellington St. has adopted out 142 cats in the year since it opened. It is the combined effort of everyone that makes a difference.

Photo Caption: Look for the mobile clinic van in your area.