1. pets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tina Regester, Director of Communications
Maryland SPCA
410-2358826 ext. 139, 443-243-5868 (cell)
tregester@mdspca.org
Two Baltimore City Adoption Centers Partnering Together to Provide Free
Spay/Neuter Services for Cats and Dogs Owned by Low-Income Baltimore City Residents
BALTIMORE, (March 16, 2015)—Through a $94,000 spay and neuter grant received from the Maryland
Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Maryland SPCA and Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter
(BARCS), both located in Baltimore City, are working together to assist low-income pet owners; reduce
the number of unwanted and abandoned community pets; and ultimately save more pets’ lives.
Through the end of 2015, the non-profit organizations, who are both founding members of the
Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance, are offering free spay/neuter services to companion dogs and cats
living with Baltimore City residents in zip codes 21215, 21216, 21217, 21223 and 21229. These zip codes
were selected because a high volume of unwanted pets from these areas are given up.
“This grant will allow us to help people and pets living in these neighborhoods where we see the
greatest need,” said Aileen Gabbey, executive director of the Maryland SPCA. “Twenty-four percent
(24%) of the citizens in these zip codes are living below the poverty level and simply can’t afford to have
their pets altered, resulting in unwanted litters and overcrowded shelters and adoption centers.”
In addition to 750 cats and 250 dogs being spayed/neutered, the pets will be vaccinated and have their
nails trimmed all free of charge. Cats will be spayed/neutered at the Maryland SPCA, and dogs will be
fixed at BARCS. When necessary, transportation can be arranged.
“We want to encourage animal owners in these zip codes who have pets who haven’t been spayed or
neutered to take advantage of these services,” said Jennifer Brause, executive director of Baltimore
Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). “Fixing a pet will not only prevent pets from having unwanted
litters, it helps reduce pet spraying or marking in the home, eliminates a female pet from going ‘into
heat,’ and can help pets live longer and healthier lives.”
To learn more about this program or to schedule an appointment, residents living in the designated zip
codes call Marc Brown, the outreach coordinator for this program, at 410-499-5372. More information
can be found at www.mdspca.org or at www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org.
(more)
Full-funding for this project was provided by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Spay and Neuter
Grant Program. The program was created by the General Assembly during the 2013 Legislative Session
as a new program within MDA. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of cats and dogs
euthanized in shelters across the state by providing grants to local governments and animal welfare
organizations that promote and provide spay and neuter services and education. All funding for this
program comes from a special fee paid by pet food companies that sell products in Maryland.
About the Maryland SPCA
The Maryland SPCA is an independent nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of pets and
people in Maryland. The MD SPCA receives no operating support from the government or other animal
welfare groups including the ASPCA. The MD SPCA’s adoption center adopts out and rescues more than
3,500 needy and unwanted pets each year, and provides approximately 9,000 spaying/neutering
procedures yearly to reduce pet overpopulation and suffering. The MD SPCA also offers pet behavior
counseling and training courses to help keep pets in their homes. For more information about the
Maryland SPCA, visit www.mdspca.org or call 410‐235‐8826.
About Baltimore Animal and Care Rescue (BARCS)
The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is the largest companion animal shelter in
Maryland. BARCS takes in over 11,000 dogs and cats of all breeds and approximately 1,000 exotic,
wildlife, and other small mammals each year. BARCS serves as a resource to the community for citizens
and their animals in need. The shelter’s services include; providing housing and lifesaving care to
homeless animals, public education and outreach, tracking lost and found pets, offering low cost
vaccinations and microchip clinics, pet licensing, the Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) of community cats,
and providing low cost basic dog training classes. BARCS also provides families the opportunity to adopt
a loving companion animal that is spayed or neutered and vaccinated at BARCS.
About the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA)
In order to better serve the animals and people of the Baltimore community, the major animal welfare
organizations in Baltimore—the Maryland SPCA, Baltimore Humane Society, and Baltimore Animal
Rescue and Care Shelter, came together to form the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA) in 2008.
Today, the founding organizations continue as BAWA members. Members work together to save
animals’ lives. Joint efforts have included adoption events, spaying and neutering community animals,
and transporting animals in need from one shelter to another so that more pets are saved.
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