BRIDGEWATER, Vt. (WCAX) – Getting your pets spayed or neutered comes with a range of benefits from improved behavior and health outcomes to population control – but not everyone is opting in.
Veterinarians say cost can be a big barrier.
The Vermont Spay-Neuter Incentive Program – or VSNIP – is trying to change that.
VSNIP helps eligible Vermonters get their pets fixed for just twenty-seven dollars.
Staff say it’s a major shift from earlier animal population control tactics like euthanasia.
“It’s not like that now because of the veterinarians in this program, and we still need more in the program,” said Sue Skaskiw of VSNIP.
Other programs offer discounted care too, like VT-CAN! which has fixed more than 48,000 cats and dogs since its start in 2008.
Other affordable spay/neuter options include the Humane Society of Chittenden County, Rutland County Humane Society, Windham County Humane Society, and Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter in Barton.