County launches spay-neuter program for low-income pet guardians and community cats

Lincoln County is excited to announce the LCSNP (LC "Snip") program, allocating federal relief funds to counter dog and cat overpopulation that was substantially worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, through American Rescue Plan Act funding, seeks to support local low-income households with spay and neuter services for their pet felines and canines. The National Institutes of Health published the following findings regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the US feline and canine population:

"The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown resulted in a drastic reduction of surgeries, from which the industry has not yet recovered. The high level of spay-neuter achieved over the past five decades is the single most important driver of reduced pet overpopulation and euthanasia in animal shelters. Veterinarians and animal welfare organizations should collaborate to prioritize recovery of spay-neuter capacity with a special focus on serving populations most at risk for unintended reproduction, poor welfare, or entering the animal shelter system."

County staff will work with applicants and participating veterinarians' offices to coordinate and submit payment for spay and neuter procedures.

To qualify for this program, you must be a resident of Lincoln County and income eligible, which can be confirmed by showing eligibility for SNAP/TANF; WIC; OHP; Medicaid; Housing Assistance; Supplemental Security Income; Veterans Pension Benefits; and Surviving Spouse Pension Benefits. A drag-and-drop file upload box is provided within the program application for you to include a document that verifies enrollment in one of these programs. An application is not considered complete until one of these documents has been provided.

If you are applying for more than one pet in your household, you must fill out separate applications for each pet. Each pet is issued a unique reference number and separate vouchers.

Below are the links to the application:

English: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/c694e29fc79e47cfa54e0f9e010371b1

En Español: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a80a0cdfc6d9411cb1893dd7ec6cec85

For assistance filling out this application, please call the helpline at (541) 270-3393.

Dog owners are encouraged to have their pets licensed, which is much less expensive when your pet is spayed or neutered.

License requirements are as follows: Dogs 6 months of age or older (or with their adult canine teeth, whichever comes first) must be licensed. Your dog must be currently vaccinated against rabies, and your rabies certificate is required to purchase a dog license. Dog licenses can be purchased for 1, 2, or 3 years. The dog license will only be valid for as long as the rabies vaccination is current.

For altered dogs, meaning spayed or neutered, the cost of a dog license is $5 per year. For unaltered dogs the cost of a dog license is $35 for 1 year, $65 for 2 years, or $90 for 3 years. Cat licensing is optional but still requires proof of a current rabies vaccination. More information can be found by visiting the Animal Shelter's website, https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/692/Lincoln-County-Animal-Shelter

Friends of the Lincoln County Animal Shelter (FOLCAS) has volunteered to help answer questions on the helpline and assist applicants who do not have computer access; and its sister organization, the Central Coast Humane Society (CCHS), is coordinating spay/neuter services for "community" cats-that is, those who live in managed colonies rather than in households. The above applications are not for community cat services.

"We are thrilled to help the County deliver these funds to local pet guardians of limited means," FOLCAS President Emily DeHuff said. "Our county fell woefully behind in spaying and neutering during the pandemic, when many vets had to suspend elective surgeries altogether, and after the fires of fall 2020, which meant financial hardship for many residents. These subsidies will go a long way in getting spay/neuter rates back on track."

Spaying and neutering are not only essential to the individual animal's health and safety, but prevent innumerable future animals from deprivation and worse, since there are never enough loving and responsible homes to go around.

People who do not meet the income qualification for the county program can apply for spay/neuter & other vet care assistance through other programs administered by CCHS by visiting centralcoasthumanesociety.com and completing a Request for Assistance form.

For questions, please contact Public Information Officer Kenneth Lipp at [email protected] or 541-265-4100.

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