For Immediate Release

Contact: b j Altschul, APR

240.773.5967
bja@mchumane.org
Main Shelter Information: 240.773.5960

Rockville, Maryland -- May 24, 2011 -- The Montgomery County Humane Society has initiated a new pre-adoption program to spay or neuter all shelter cats, kittens, dogs and puppies adopted from MCHS before they go to their new homes. Spay-neuter charges are now a flat fee of $70 to alter a cat or kitten, and $120 for a dog or puppy. Other adoption fees may still apply.

“This is a significant step toward solving one of the main animal welfare issues in the county -- helping the community manage the number of unwanted litters that ultimately contribute to the population of homeless animals,” said Cris Bombaugh, MCHS president and CEO.

Several veterinary clinics are partnering with MCHS to provide this service for animals not already altered upon arrival at the shelter. An adopter will complete paperwork at the shelter, MCHS will arrange for transport and surgery, and the adopter will pick up the animal directly from the veterinary clinic.

Hundreds of homeless animals are brought to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter every month in warm weather. This initiative is an effort to reduce the number of unwanted litters at the outset and is a key to reducing the number of animals for whom the shelter must care and find new homes.

“The new pre-adoption spay-neuter program proactively addresses a high priority need MCHS and Montgomery County have long sought to resolve, well in advance of construction of the new county animal shelter,” said Captain Michael Wahl, director of the Montgomery County Animal Services Division.

MCHS will continue to offer its reduced-cost and low-income assistance programs for spaying and neutering. Details of all programs are available online.

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About the Montgomery County Humane Society:

The Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, MD, is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that has provided animal sheltering services for Montgomery County since 1958. MCHS receives funds to operate the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under a grant from the Montgomery County Government and from private donations. As the only full-service animal shelter in the county, MCHS handled more than 9,200 animals in 2010, and, as an open admission shelter, never turns an animal away. Visit our website to learn more, or call 240.773.5960 option 4. Hours to visit with the animals are weekdays, noon-7 p.m., and weekends, noon-5 p.m.; closed Wednesdays.

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