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Free spaying or neutering is available for 100 cats whose owners have had trouble paying for the surgery for their pets.

This is the second time this year that the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, a nonprofit group that runs a shelter in Gaithersburg for cats that might otherwise have been euthanized because of overpopulation, has offered the surgery to help struggling pet owners.

The free surgeries are being paid for by donors who gave to the Animal Welfare League's fall pledge drive.

The procedures will be performed by veterinarians who have agreed to help the league provide the service, league president Maureen Williams said.

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

To qualify, applicants must live in Montgomery County, own the cat to be spayed or neutered and apply by Aug. 31. Certificates to obtain the surgery for just $50 also are available to qualified applicants.

A downloadable application is available on the league's website, www.awlmc.org. For more information, call 301-740-2511.

Callers should leave a message, and volunteer will call them back for a telephone interview within 24 hours, Williams said.