Group volunteers time to aid animals
They are only eight people, but the small group that makes up Operation Spay Neuter is widely outnumbered by the animals it helps.
Operating since 2006, the group offers low-cost spay and neuter services for anyone with feral cat colonies. It also offers low-cost services for owned cats and dogs to owners who meet financial guidelines.
Group president Lesley Bachman said last year the Butler County-based nonprofit helped to finance spay or neuter surgeries for 125 animals, but the group's reach has begun to expand.
"This year we're already halfway through the year and we're up to that number now," she said.
Although the group previously relied on donations and small-scale fundraisers like craft shows to survive, it now is receiving additional help.
A $5,000 grant from Bob Barker's DJ&T Foundation is designated for use on dogs. An additional $1,500 grant from PETCO can be used for cats or dogs. In the case of the DJ&T grant, the group can apply to replenish the funds if they are depleted within a year.
To help stretch their spay and neuter dollars, the group also has formed an alliance with Pittsburgh-based Animal Friends. That group has a mobile spay-neuter clinic for cats, which it will send to Butler County whenever OSN can book 25 to 30 procedures. The first such bookings were fulfilled Friday at a farm in Adams Township.
"With the van, it's actually easier with your stray and feral colonies because people can bring more at one time," Bachman said. Feral cats usually are taken to the vet three or four at a time.
"With the van, we can bring up to 30 in one day," she added, noting the group has humane traps it lends out for catching the animals.
Using the van is also less expensive — which helps stretch the group's funds.
Before the van became an option, the group was assisted solely by local veterinarians.
"The vets give us a certain fee," said Bachman, explaining clients submit some financial information along with their own assessment of what they can afford. "Whatever they can't afford OSN will cover the balance."
Most people qualify for some type of assistance, she added.Bachman said the grants will allow OSN to treat at least 40 additional animals, with some funds necessary for insurance, fundraising and the exams and shots required during spay and neuter appointments.Betty Riddle, who works at the Butler County Humane Society, said that agency receives 10 to 15 calls per week from people seeking financial help for spay and neuter surgeries.Many of the calls are referred to OSN, since the group is the only nonprofit of its kind in Butler County."We are always looking for more funding because there is no way we ever have enough monies to do all the local spay/neuters needed," said OSN vice president Barbara Shinn.Bachman said the group, which meets monthly, also is seeking volunteers.For more information, call 724-283-6656.0
