Do you need assistance getting your dog or cat spayed or neutered? The High Desert Humane Society (HDHS) offers multiple programs that could help.

“We want to do our part to help manage the pet population in our community.” said HDHS Board President Cynthia Carr.

This is great news for the Globe-Miami area. It also helps to address the overwhelming number of dogs and cats that currently need rescue services. “Right now all animal control agencies and rescue groups in the state are at or over capacity. There aren’t enough local shelter spaces, available fosters or willing adopters for all those needing help.”

When asked what is causing this abundance of homeless animals, Carr explained that there has been a perfect storm of conditions for animal overpopulation.

“The pandemic introduced unique challenges. All relief spay and neuter services across the country came to a halt for a year and a half.” At the same time, Carr stated, there was an increase in breeders as people looked to find lock-down companions when local animal control agencies and rescue groups were closed. Now the public’s demand for those animals has fallen away and the responsibility to care for the unwanted animals falls on animal care organizations.

The Globe-Miami area added natural disasters to the mix.

“Locally the overpopulation was exacerbated by animals on the loose during the fires and floods,” said Carr. Those animals found friends while wandering and now their babies are needing homes.

Finally, as the country attempts to regain the progress lost during the pandemic in reducing animal overpopulation, the national shortage of veterinary professionals is being felt sharply. “There simply aren’t enough vets or vet techs to service all the animals needing help right now,” explained Carr. “It’s a national challenge.”

This is where the HDHS wants to step in to help with their Last Litter Program, their low cost spay and neuter program, and their no  cost spay and neuter scholarships. They are also working to develop a program to train local residents to enter the veterinary care professions.

The HDHS’ Last Litter Program reduces animal overpopulation by altering mothers who have recently had a litter of puppies or kittens. The owner brings the entire weaned litter to the HDHS and receives an appointment for mama to be spayed free of charge. The babies are surrendered to the dog or cat shelter, given their necessary puppy or kitten vaccinations, then spayed or neutered before becoming available for adoption.

Another HDHS program is assisting local families with accessing low cost spay and neuter programs. Residents can call HDHS to schedule their pet’s surgery. HDHS transports the animals from the Thrift Store parking lot to the Valley to receive the needed surgery and the animals are brought back and available for pickup the same day. Owners are asked to pay the $70-$150 for the service (which varies by whether the animal is a cat or a dog, as well as male or female), a bargain cost compared to services that will charge $300-$500 for this surgery.

For individuals who are currently in a severe financial bind, the HDHS offers full scholarships to assist with altering pets with a $25 refundable deposit. They are offering this service for up to five animals each month. “We understand that some people are struggling with unemployment or medical expenses, or are on a fixed income. We want to help,” said Carr.

The HDHS has partnered with local groups to provide additional scholarships for spay and neuter services. The Friends of the Globe Dog Park is one such entity. This group hosted the large Dogtoberfest Celebration in October to raise money for park improvements, but then decided to redirect this money to provide spay and neuter services for anyone impacted by the recent fires or floods. “It’s the right thing to do,” said Judy Quinn, dog park patron and Dogtoberfest volunteer.

Like many individuals committed to humane animal treatment, Quinn feels passionately about the issue. “It would be my greatest blessing to see all the animals out there that need it get spayed or neutered. In fact, there’s no excuse for not getting this done.” She added, “We spend money all the time taking care of unwanted animals and sometimes killing them, and it’s just not right.”

The HDHS agrees with her wholeheartedly and is committed to reducing the overpopulation of unwanted animals. That’s one of the reasons they will partner with anyone who needs help getting their pets altered.

It’s the right thing to do.

If you need help caring for your dog or cat, please contact the HDHS. They operate a thrift store (178 W. Mesquite) and furniture shop (393 N. Broad) in Globe with 100% of the profits going to pet rescue efforts. Their dog rescue is based in the little blue building next to the thrift store (150 W. Mesquite) and their cat rescue is located at 669 N. Broad. They are usually open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or you can call them at 928-200-3611.