What is the Spay/Neuter Initiative (SNI)?
Pet Haven received a very generous donation earmarked to be used to help reduce the overpopulation of companion animals and to help families keep their pets by providing low-cost spay and neuter services. The donor's hope was that the funds be used to reach animals not already being served by Pet Haven's adoption program. Pet Haven used this donation as the "seed money" to start its own low-cost spay/neuter outreach and to offer grants to humane and rescue groups to assist with their spay/neuter efforts.
I want to spay or neuter my pet but can't afford it. Can Pet Haven help?
Yes! We will help you pay for the spay/neuter surgery and related veterinary costs. Contact us by calling (952) 831-3825 and leave a message that you are interested in our low-cost spay/neuter program. A volunteer will get back to you. If we determine that our program can help your pet, we will work with you to come up with a cost you can afford and Pet Haven will pay the rest. You will need to be willing to take your pet to one of the veterinary clinics we work with in the Twin Cities area.
Why should I spay or neuter my pet?
Female pets are "spayed" and male pets are "neutered". This is sometimes also called "altering". This surgery makes them unable to reproduce so your pet will not contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation. There are many more puppies, kittens and other pets born every day than there are homes to care for them. Those that are without homes suffer from disease and malnutrition and are put to death because no one wants them. Plus, spaying and neutering can help to reduce behavior problems in your pet. Altered dogs and cats are less likely to fight with other animals and are less inclined to spray and urinate in the house. There are also health benefits to spaying and neutering. The possibility of certain types of cancer is eliminated or greatly reduced in animals that have been altered.
I work with a humane society. Can we get a spay/neuter grant from Pet Haven?
Pet Haven's SNI grants are available to 501(c)3 and other non-profit organizations concerned with the welfare of animals. Your organization must apply for the grant and your application must be approved by Pet Haven's Board of Directors. Pet Haven's mission focuses on cats and dogs and we anticipate that most of the grants will be awarded to similarly focused groups. However, applications from groups that work with other small animals will also be considered.
Organizations that participate in any of the following activities do not qualify for these grants: breeding animals; using or releasing animals for use in medical or other experimentation; and organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin in policy or practice.
The grant must be used for spay and neuter surgical procedures. The funds may also be used for pre-operative examinations, pre-operative and intra-operative pain management, and emergency veterinary care related to the surgery. This will enable grantees to use their own funds to provide additional services, such as vaccinations and microchipping, for the same animals that are being altered.
If you have questions regarding the grants for rescue groups and humane societies, or would like to receive a grant application, please contact the Pet Haven SNI Project Manager at Admin@PetHavenMN.org or by calling (952) 831-3825 and leaving a message.