RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – To ensure continued funding of the West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Program (WVSNP), there is a bill on the table at the State Capitol to amend and re-enact 19-14-5 of West Virginia code.
The bill removes a sunset clause for registration fees on bulk and non-bulk pet food.
An Operation Underdog board member says it’s an important program that should continue, considering the Mountain State’s pet overpopulation crisis.
“Whenever people are not spaying and neutering their animals, there is not such a thing as an accidental litter,” said Elizabeth Raney. “They need to be spayed or neutered, or you’re going to have a litter. They are going to reproduce.”
There’s a push across West Virginia to spay and neuter your pets. Unfortunately, many people don’t. Cost is a barrier for some.
“Also, maybe even proximity to a clinic that’s able to do it and getting an appointment before it’s too late,” Raney said. “Sometimes I think people think they can get an appointment for next week – but maybe it’s a month or more away.”
If we were to lose the spay and neuter funding…
“It will be problematic for the area,” said the Operation Underdog board member. “I think a lot of people have depended on the funding to help with spay-neuter efforts.”
You could urge the state to reconsider and make your voices heard.
“People can contact their representatives, and there’s also probably a bill up for comment or something — so they can make a public comment on it.”
The importance of spay and neutering cannot be underestimated. It’s for your pet’s health, the health of the community, and to control pet overpopulation.
“I think spaying and neutering is the very least you should be doing for your pets if you possibly can access spay and neuter,” Raney said. “And the funding that’s been given the past several years has been instrumental to helping many people access that care.”
