Lufkin City Council Accepts Grant to Fund Spay-Neuter Clinic

The Lufkin City Council has voted to accept a $50,000 dollar grant that will fund a free spay-neuter clinic for local pet owners.  The service will be offered free of charge at the city's Animal Control Department.

Animal Control Director Rhonda McLendon estimates about 325 animals could be altered with this money, depending on the species and size of the animal.

McLendon says Animal Control takes in close to 7,000 unwanted animals every year.  In some cases, owners will turn in entire litters they cannot afford to keep, and that forces the department to euthanize nearly 5,000 pets each year.

McLendon says while the program is primarily aimed at Lufkin pet owners who can't afford to have their pet altered, it  will be available anyone in Angelina County, regardless of their income.  The goal is to reduce the number of unwanted pets in the county.

via Council OKs grant to fund no-cost spay, neuter program - The Lufkin Daily News: Local & State

The grant money comes from the Texas’ Animal Friendly Fund.  If the program is successful, City Manager Paul Parker says Animal Control could get more funding from the state.