In recognition its work to address the issue of pet overpopulation, Mississippi Spay and Neuter (MS SPAN) has been awarded $14,400 by the PETCO Foundation for the Big Fix Clinic’s “Expanded Spay/Neuter Transport Project.”   

    The Lauderdale project, which starts on July 12 will allow MS SPAN to transport dogs and/or cats from Lauderdale County to be fixed at the Big Fix Clinic in Pearl.   

     “We are very privileged to be the recipient of PETCO Foundation’s generosity” said Elaine Adair, Vice-President of Operations for the Big Fix Clinic. “To help with the final purchase of our new 2013 Mercedes Sprinter Cargo van, we also received generous donations from The Humane Society of the United States, Nancy Herrington as well as other MS SPAN donors who support our mission of reducing pet overpopulation.”

    Anyone interested in having their pets fixed through the transport project should call 866-901-7729 or 601-420-2438.

    “When calling for an appointment, we encourage pet owners to ask if there are any specials being offered at the Big Fix Clinic because we are very fortunate to be able to work individually with pet owners who can’t afford to pay our normal spay/neuter surgery fees, which range from $50 to $95,” Adair said. ” Our goal is to work with those who have allowed their pets to have multiple litters of kittens and puppies so we can break the cycle of unwanted litters.”

    Mississippi Spay and Neuter (MS SPAN), which was formed in 2005 in Gulfport, is the first organization in the United States to provide comprehensive statewide coverage for spay and neuter initiatives, according to a press release.

    The organization’s mission is “To reduce euthanasia and suffering of homeless animals by providing affordable spay and neuter; by engaging the cooperation of the community and by raising awareness of pet overpopulation,” the press release states.

    MS SPAN was formed as a volunteer organization, running a mobile spay and neuter clinic (the Big Fix Rig and the Little Fix Rig) and a statewide spay/neuter voucher program.  Services were provided all over the state of Mississippi to areas where affordable spay/neuter services were not available.  After Hurricane Katrina, national animal welfare organizations approached MS SPAN offering funding to open a high-volume spay/neuter clinic in the Jackson Metro Area.

    The Big Fix Clinic is the only low-cost, high-volume, spay and neuter clinic that serves central Mississippi. MS SPAN continues to work with agencies, organizations, communities and individuals to develop spay/neuter initiatives that help to humanely reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia in their communities through out the state.

    For more information on Mississippi Spay and Neuter and its programs, call 601-420-2438 or visit www.msspan.org.