More News

Free spaying or neutering is being made available for 100 cats whose owners can't afford the surgery for their pets.

Certificates are available to Montgomery County residents through the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, a nonprofit group that runs a shelter in Gaithersburg for cats, including felines that otherwise would have been euthanized because of overpopulation.

The free surgeries are being paid for by donors who gave to the Animal Welfare League's fall pledge drive, said volunteer Maureen Williams, who is coordinating the spay-neuter giveaway.

Proof of income is not required, but Williams said the group wants to help those who would find it difficult paying the $100 to $200, or higher, charge for the surgery.

Certificates can be obtained by calling the welfare league's shelter at 301-740-2511. Callers should leave a message, and a volunteer will call back for a telephone interview within 24 hours, Williams said.

A translator is available for Spanish-speaking applicants who leave a message.

The surgeries will be done at a veterinary hospital that is centrally located in the county, but whose name the group has agreed not to disclose, Williams said.

The league hopes to offer low-cost spay and neuter services, without income qualification, in the future.

The free spay-neuter offer is being made in conjunction with spay-neuter month observations in February, before the spring cat breeding season.

More information is available at the Animal Welfare League's Web site, www.awlmc.org.