A program to provide spay and neuter services at not cost to a section of St. Joseph pet owners has met its goal ahead of schedule.

The city of St. Joseph Health Department, Animal Control and Rescue received a grant from PetSmart Charities in March of 2014 to provide sterilization services to pets of owners living in the 64501 zip code through the Advocate and Defend Animals through Sterilization (A.D.A.P.T.S.) program.

The city said in the past 12 months 1,000 spay and neuter operations have been preformed meeting the grant in advance of the specified deadline.

In a news release the city said the 64501 zip code was designated as the highest area of need because more reports of stray animals occur in the 64501 zip code, thereby indicating a larger number of unaltered animals.

Even though the goal of altering 1,000 pets has been reached, funding is still available to continue the program through November of 2015. The city is encouraging owners of unaltered pets who live in the 64501 zip code to apply for free spay and neuter service.

Animal Control & Rescue said it has agreements with the area veterinary offices of All Creatures Animal Hospital, Angels Vet Express, Countryside Veterinary Clinic, East Hills Animal Clinic, Green Hills Animal Hospital, and Twin Pines to provide this service with the understanding they will be reimbursed by grant funding instead of charging the pet owner.

Funding from another resource, Animal Kind, is available to assist pet owners in other zip codes with the cost of spay and neuter surgery as well.

Contact the Animal Control & Rescue’s Humane Educator, Jenna Anthony, at 816-271-4877 or by email at [email protected].