Burford, K. 2000. McAllen lacking low-cost option for spaying, neutering pets. The Monitor, McAllen, Tx (August 26). Http://www.themonitor.com/story2.shtml (Aug. 26, 2000).

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Photographs from the Valley Humane Society in Edinburg, Texas, was not in the newspaper article. All photographs © 2000, Jan A. Nilsson


As of January 15, 2004, you can read about the 2001 Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic on the humane society's web site. So at first it may appear the article below is outdated. However, a quick phone call informed that the clinic does not exist anymore, and at the moment there is not even a veterinarian! The Humane Society obviously is in need of help from the public!

"We want you to be ready for the opening of our Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic on June 11, 2001. This is the first clinic of its type in the Valley area. Since we are the only Humane Society in the Valley, we are providing this low cost service to stop the flood of 40,000 unwanted animals we admit each year. Please call 686-1141 x 21 for information on our NEW CLINIC!!!"


The article is used for educational purposes by Dr. Jan A. Nilsson, Biology Department, South Texas Community College, Texas, USA.

McAllen lacking low-cost option for spaying, neutering pets


By KATIE BURFORD
The Monitor
McALLEN -- McAllen is the one of the only metropolitan areas in Texas without a program providing low-cost spaying and neutering for adopted pets.  So it's no surprise that Hidalgo County euthanizes more animals than Houston does, said Sandra Summers, executive director of the Upper Valley Humane Society. Sterilizing dogs and cats reduces the stray animal population by preventing them from reproducing.

Summers said cities that have implemented low-cost sterilization programs saw a significant decrease in the number of animals that had to be destroyed. "If we can get a low-cost spay or neuter program going, within three to five years (the euthanasia rate) will drop 25 to 40 percent," Summers said.

She said cost frequently prevents people from having the procedure done on their pets. "We have people call all the time and say, ‘Can you spay or neuter my animal?" They can't afford the normal cost to spay or neuter their animal," she said. Having a dog spayed costs about $75. Summers said she hopes to implement a program that would reduce that by $50 or more.

Barbara Veit, director of operations with the Houston-based Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, said the feelings people project onto their pets can prevent them for doing what is best for the animal. "There's some reluctance to do it. Macho men don't want to neuter their dogs," she said. But the result -- more unwanted animals being born -- is far crueler, she said. Locally, about 900 animals are euthanized each week.

Summers said she plans to apply for grant money to get a spay-neuter program going, but first she must find a full-time veterinarian willing to perform the procedures. "We've been looking for eight years," Summers said.

One option Summers has pursued is hiring a veterinarian trained in Mexico, but getting the certification to practice in the United States takes about four years. "We’re suffering so terribly, and all we’ve gotten is red tape," she said. 



The article is used for educational purposes by Dr. Jan A. Nilsson, Biology Department, South Texas Community College, Texas, USA.

Address and Telephone Information to the Valley Humane Society:

Valley Humane Society

Trenton Road, 1/4 Mi. East of McColl
P.O. Box 3386
McAllen, Texas 78502
(956) 686-1141

Upper Valley Humane Society

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