The Humane Society of the United States and Chrissie's Fund are proud to announce donations totaling $200,000 to the Spay Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina (SNAP-NC). Each group is donating $100,000 to SNAP-NC to increase the availability of low-cost spay and neuter services to the residents of the Triangle region and statewide. The donations will allow SNAP-NC to purchase a new mobile surgical hospital.
Formed seven years ago by licensed veterinarians and led by Dr. Laureen Bartfield, SNAP-NC was the first mobile low-cost spay-neuter service in the state of North Carolina. Since its inception, SNAP-NC has safely performed over 37,000 successful spay and neuter surgeries.
"SNAP-NC has done a fantastic job of reducing the number of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens born in its operating region of North Carolina," said HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. "Providing low-cost spaying and neutering services is a critical component of the larger strategy of ending the tragedy of euthanizing homeless pets."
Reducing the number of unwanted dogs and cats born every year was one of The HSUS's earliest priorities, dating back to the organization's founding in 1954.
"Dr. Bartfield's passion, energy and expertise make her and her organization a perfect partner for our inaugural grant," said Dwight Lowell, founder of Chrissie's Fund and a member of The HSUS's board of directors. "We are honored to be working with The HSUS. To be able to collaborate on this with the premier animal protection organization in the country is truly a dream come true."
Chrissie's Fund is a California-based foundation established in 2007 to honor the memory of a shelter dog named Chrissie. The foundation provides funding to help reduce dog overpopulation, promote suitable adoptions and support programs targeted to eliminate the suffering of dogs. The donation is the organization's first major project.
"Overpopulation is the leading killer of companion animals in the United States. By attacking the problem at its source with our newly expanded fleet of mobile clinics, we will be saving the lives of countless animals," said Bartfield. In addition to running SNAP-NC, Dr. Bartfield is the contract veterinarian for Wake County Animal Shelter and Control in Raleigh. She is also the veterinarian for Chatham County, N.C., and a certified animal cruelty investigator.
Dr. Bartfield and her crew have specially designed the new unit to allow for additional large kennels. The new hospital's target population will be large mixed breed dogs as they tend to be the most difficult to adopt out from the shelters. The unit is due to be delivered next month.
- For more information about SNAP-NC, please visit snap-nc.org .
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
