Pet Allies receives $10,000 grant

Posted: Monday, December 13, 2010 5:00 am | Updated: 4:47 pm, Fri Dec 10, 2010. by The White Mountain Independent

SHOW LOW - Pet Allies received a grant of $10,000 from the Arizona Pet Plate Committee for use in 2011 at its high volume spay-neuter clinic. Approximately $234,000 was available for the Committee to award to 34 animal rescue groups and shelters in the State of Arizona. Pet Allies Director, RJ Owens, wants to thank the Pet Plate Committee for all their hard work in reviewing grants from all the many organizations that applied. Pet Allies will be able to use the grant to continue its subsidized spay and neuter services.

Pet Allies currently charges $60 full price for a dog spay or neuter, and $30 for a cat spay or neuter. Discounted pricing is also available for qualifying low-income families, of $30 for dogs and $15 for cats.

Pet Allies has struggled to continue to operate at these rates, which are much lower than the cost of surgery. "Pet Allies mission is to promote non-lethal means of pet overpopulation" said its Spay/Neuter Coordinator, Rebecca Bloomquist, "and we do that by offering subsidized services at our quality high volume spay/neuter clinic. Please encourage readers to buy a pet friendly license plate. It costs only $25 and funds programs all over the State."

Jan Shamasko, Pet Allies Pet Recovery Technician, would like to take this opportunity and ask for volunteers to help at the clinics. Pet Allies operates Tuesday and Wednesday, every other week, and has many volunteer opportunities. She can be contacted at CM@PetAlliesAz.org or call (928) 532-1602.

Volunteers keep the cost of services lower and help Pet Allies continue to offer these subsidized services.

RJ Owens, Director of Pet Allies, said that with the current level of funding, and the grant just received, Pet Allies estimates it will alter 1,540 pets at its clinic in 2011. The group altered 1,501 pets the first year of operation. The clinic opened the end of July, 2009. Pet Allies added Wellness and Vaccination clinics late summer this year, which are held monthly. These clinics were added by client request.

Typically 75-100 pets attend a Wellness Clinic, the majority of which receive rabies vaccinations for $10. A visit with the doctor is $20. Pet Allies will also begin offering subsidized dental services Dec. 21.

"It is our goal to allow low-income families to care for their pets wellness needs without having to decide what to sacrifice in order to be able to pay for the pet's health needs," said RJ Owens, Director. "Your purchases at the Barkin' Basement Thrift Store, fund programs such as these for needy pets right here in our community."