HOPE ANIMAL SHELTER'S LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

HOPE is proud to partner with our local veterinary clinics to provide our community with the opportunity for low cost sterilization of cats and dogs. The participating veterinary practices listed below establish their own guidelines for acceptance of HOPE’s SNAP Spay Neuter Coupon. A preliminary office visit, proof of current vaccinations, blood work, overnight stay, and/or additional vaccinations may be required. Fees for surgical complications, females in heat or pregnant, or males with undescended testicles may also be applied. These and any other costs will be charged at the Veterinarians’ discretion, at their rates, and are in addition to the surgery price indicated. Any and all of these ancillary charges are your financial responsibility.

This program is available for Gogebic County, MI & Iron County, WI households only with a gross income less than $40,000 annually. Proof of residency and income is required.

PARTICIPATING VETERINARY PRACTICES 

Range Animal Hospital
6116 US Hwy 2
Ironwood, MI 49938
(906) 932-3531

Hurley Area Animal Hospital, Inc
5421 W. Center Drive
Hurley, WI 54534
(715) 561-2333

These Veterinary Practices honor the following SURGERY rates:
Male Cats - $39 (Surgery Fee Only)
Male Dogs - $75 (Surgery Fee Only)
Female Cats - $49 (Surgery Fee Only)
Female Dogs - $89 (Surgery Fee Only)

Rabies - Proof of rabies vaccination is required. If no proof is provided the animal will receive the vaccination and the owner will be charged $15.

There will be an additional $15-$20 charge for pain/recovery medications for spayed animals.

It is recommended that you obtain an estimate of costs and understand all conditions, prices, and requirements prior to scheduling your pet for surgery.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SNAP PROGRAM

1. Stop by HOPE Animal Shelter during regular business hours (currently Monday to Friday 2 pm to 6 pm or Saturday to Sunday 2pm to 5 pm). Fill out the appropriate paperwork, it takes about 10 minutes.
2. We will do our best to assign you the veterinary clinic you already are a client of but we can't guarantee 100%. You may be assigned a different clinic.
3. Pay the appropriate fee to receive the voucher. (SEE ABOVE). The entire surgery cost is due at this time. WE ACCEPT CASH OR CHECKS ONLY.
4. Call the assigned veterinary practice to schedule your appointment. Identify yourself as a HOPE SNAP client. Failure to do so will result in standard office rates being charged.

The coupon is non-refundable, has no monetary value and expires 60 days from date of issue. It will only guarantee the reduced cost spay / neuter surgery prices as shown at the participating veterinarians listed above.

The low cost for spaying / neutering your pet is made possible thanks to the donation of time and supply costs by our participating veterinarians. Please show your appreciation for the important community service they provide by keeping your appointment.

H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter
Phone #: (906) 932-1511
E-mail: myhopeanimalshelter@gmail.com

SPAYING AND NEUTERING FACTS

Many well-intentioned pet owners still find making the choice to spay or neuter their pet a difficult one. This is due largely to the many misconceptions associated with this very basic surgery. However, the reality is pets that are spayed or neutered typically live much longer, healthier, and happier lives and are also helping to solve the serious problem of pet over-population. For these reasons, and many more, all animals adopted from H.O.P.E Animal Shelter have already been spayed or neutered. However, you may have a pet at home or have a friend with a dog or cat that has not yet had this simple surgery. Here are some of the reasons that spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet, yourself, and your community:

• Spayed or neutered pets are typically better behaved, calmer, and more affectionate than those that are not altered.
• Male animals are less likely to mark their territory by urinating or spraying and less likely to run away in an attempt to find a female; no, this does not mean you should leave your neutered animal outside unattended.
• Spaying an animal eliminates their heat cycle and the undesirable elements of a heat cycle such as bleeding, crying, and nervous behaviors.
• Want to take your dog to that fun dog park down the street or the daycare around the corner? Then your dog needs to be spayed or neutered as most dog parks and daycares require it.
• Every year approximately 4 million animals, the vast majority of which are medically and behaviorally adoptable, are euthanized. By spaying or neutering your pet you are directly helping to reduce this number.
• Spaying and neutering decreases the number of stray animals which results in a decrease in animal bites (to both humans and pets), car accidents, and destruction to property.
• Spayed and neutered animals get along better with each other and exhibit less aggression issues towards animals of the same gender.
• Spaying and neutering are straightforward surgeries and are recognized as a general beneficial procedure. Like any surgical procedure performed under anesthesia, there are some potential risks and any concerns should be discussed with your veterinarian.

SPAY / NEUTER MYTH BUSTERS 

"Spaying or neutering my pet is just too expensive."
There are many clinics that provide spay neuter services at reasonable prices. The cost of caring for a litter of puppies or kittens far outweighs the cost of surgery as does the cost of treating one of the many forms of cancer that spaying or neutering helps prevent.

"Spaying or neutering will make my pet fat."
Animals get fat for basically the same reasons that people get fat-too much food and not enough exercise. Providing your pet with regular exercise and feeding them a diet that is appropriate for their age, size, and energy level will prevent your animal from becoming overweight.

"I don't want my dog to feel like less of a man; it's just cruel to do that to a male dog or cat."
Unlike people, animals do not have any concept of their sexual identity. Neutering a male will not cause any type of identity crisis or result in him mourning the loss of his reproductive capability. What is cruel is contributing to the tragic overpopulation problem.