Spay and Neuter

The PAWS Spay/Neuter Assistance Program will pay for a portion of the cost of spay or neuter surgeries for pets of individuals or families in Garrett County who qualify according to our income guidelines. If you qualify, we will pay as follows: male dogs – $60, female dogs – $75, male cats – $55, female cats – $65.

You are eligible if:

  • You are a county resident living in a single-person household with no dependents, and you are not claimed as a dependent by anyone else, and your annual income is $15,000 or less.

  • You are a county resident living in a household with dependents (spouse and/or children), and your annual total family income is $25,000 or less.

Why offer spay/neuter assistance?

Each year more than 12,000,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are left at animal shelters across the country. Garrett County alone takes in an average of about 1200 a year. Sadly almost 2/3 of these animals have to be destroyed because there aren’t enough homes for them. Even allowing your pet to have just one litter contributes to the problem. Why? Consider these facts:

  • In six years an unspayed female dog and her unaltered pups can be the source of 67,000 more puppies. In just seven years, one female cat and its young can produce 420,000 cats. The numbers are staggering!

  • Altered pets are also less likely to be aggressive and bite. They are more affectionate companions and less likely to roam and fight. Neutered animals are also less likely to spray and mark their territory, a fact that can save their owners from frustration and cleaning bills.

The PAWS Spay/Neuter Assistance Program is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from the Snyder Foundation.