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Program Aims To Spay And Neuter 2,500 Dogs And Cats In Greater Houston And San Antonio

The Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) is conducting the initiative, which is designed to help low-income individuals who own pets.

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Dr. Gil Costas, a veterinarian with the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), treats a puppy at one of the organization's Wellness Clinic in Houston. SNAP is conducting a year-long program in Greater Houston and San Antonio that aims to spay and neuter approximately 2,500 dogs and cats.
Courtesy of Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.
Dr. Gil Costas, a veterinarian with the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), treats a puppy at the organization’s Wellness Clinic in Houston. SNAP is conducting a year-long program in Greater Houston and San Antonio that aims to spay and neuter approximately 2,500 dogs and cats.

A year-long program is underway in Greater Houston and San Antonio with the goal of spaying and neutering 2,500 dogs and cats owned by individuals who receive government assistance.

The Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) is conducting the initiative, which is funded through various grants. Spaying or neutering can cost hundreds of dollars, but the co-pay in this program is $25.

The program is being implemented in Harris and Bexar counties, as well as surrounding areas, potentially covering nine million residents. Of that population, approximately 1.5 million people live below the poverty level, according to SNAP.

“The most at risk population for having animals that are unaltered is based on income,” said Les Wood, SNAP's Grants and Contracts Coordinator.

Wood said the program is focused on domestic pets. Even then, spaying and neutering dogs and cats that live in a home can help reduce the number of stray animals, which has been a persistent problem in parts of Houston for years.

One of Houston’s historic neighborhoods with a stray animal problem is the East End. Emancipet, an Austin-based organization that provides low-cost pet care, currently has a clinic in the area.

Harris County also has a considerable stray animal population, and an upcoming $24 million animal shelter which broke ground last November aims at curbing the problem.

For additional information about SNAP’s program, you can call 713-862-3863 or visit www.snapus.org