The Animal Alliance Spay & Neuter Clinic announces the creation of the Spay / Neuter Assistance Program to provide free spaying and neutering for dogs weighing 40 lbs. and over, and their puppies, living in low-income families. A private donor, with a big heart for big dogs, funded the creation of the new program.

Area animal shelters are filled with homeless large breed dogs and mixes. Large dogs are difficult to adopt into new homes and are often destroyed. Because of their size, spaying or neutering large dogs is very expensive. Families with a limited income often cannot afford to spay or neuter large dogs to prevent puppies and more homeless animals.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to offer free spaying or neutering for large dogs in low-income families and hope that by addressing this underserved population we can reduce the numbers of animals entering area shelters,” says Sean Hawkins, President of Saving Animals Across Borders, the international animal protection organization responsible for operating the Animal Alliance Spay & Neuter Clinic in La Marque, Texas.

Low-income large dog owners interested in receiving free spaying or neutering for their pets should call the Animal Alliance Spay & Neuter Clinic in La Marque at (409) 933-1600 to make an appointment for surgery. The clinic is open 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Funding for this special program is limited. While spaying or neutering for big dogs and their puppies is free for animals in low-income families, a $20 co-pay is requested but not required.

Renee Bazan, DVM, Acting Chief of Surgery for the Animal Alliance Spay & Neuter Clinic, says, “ spaying or neutering large dogs is so important because pregnancy can cause many complications, especially for older dogs. Spaying or neutering pets not only prevents homeless puppies, sterilized dogs benefit from preventing uterine infections, mammary and testicular cancers.” Dr. Bazan reminds, “the big guys tend to have large litters and lots of puppies are very expensive to properly feed and care for.” Many unwanted litters of puppies end up dumped or in area shelters, most do not find homes.