GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Bissell Pet Foundation is hosting and funding its first-ever free spay and neuter clinic for the Grand Rapids area this month.
Operation Fix the Future Grand Rapids aims to spay/neuter 1,000 West Michigan pets in four days to fight pet homelessness. Pets can also receive age-appropriate vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine and a microchip.
The four-day clinic will occur from March 13-16 at 3900 4 Mile Rd. NE, in Grand Rapids.
Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, said the need for spay/neuter services is critical, with shelters and rescues at capacity.
“Proactive pet sterilization procedures address the root cause of animal overpopulation by preventing unplanned births,” Bissell said. “We are committed to impacting the lives of homeless and owned pets in Grand Rapids and beyond by making spay/neuter services more accessible and affordable to the community.”
The event is in collaboration with Big Lakes Humane Society, Harbor Humane, Humane Society of West Michigan, and Kent County Animal Shelter.
There will be six active surgery tables under the direction of veterinarian Dr. Sharon Marsh and the BPF team, who will be coordinating veterinarians, technicians and volunteers.
The clinic is part of a national initiative held by Bissell Pet Foundation to bring more affordable and accessible spay/neuter services to not only pet owners but shelters as well.
“We fund spay-neuter grants throughout the country, send relief veterinarians to perform services in shelters and host clinics throughout the country,” said Brittany Schlacter, marketing and public relations specialist at Bissell. “This is the first one we’ve ever hosted here in Grand Rapids, so we’re especially excited to be helping pets right here in our home territory.”
All services will be free to the community on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration for each day starting at 7 a.m. and surgeries at 8:30 a.m.
Cats only will be seen on Wednesday, Mar. 13-14, and dogs only on Friday, Mar. 15-16. Trap-Neuter-Release (stray) cats will also be accepted until 1 p.m.
Schlacter told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press about 200 pets are expected per day, depending on the speed of each surgery.
She said because the four-day event is a high-quality volume clinic, the foundation aims to serve as many pets as possible in that timeframe.
“There have been other ones that are a little smaller, but nothing of this size,” she said. “This is significant for our community, the need right now is urgent. We want to ensure that there are no other unplanned births to contribute to pets that end up at shelters and rescues in our community.”
Bissell Pet Foundation is reminding attendees to not give their pets food after midnight the night before surgery. Additional rules for the clinic include:
- All pet guardians must be at least 18 years old to register pets.
- Be prepared to wait. Bring drinks and snacks if needed.
- Dogs must be on leashes, not in kennels. Cats must be in carriers or live traps.
- No dog over 65lbs or ten years of age.
- No Brachycephalic dogs permitted (English and French bulldogs, bull mastiffs, Boston Terriers, pugs, and Pekingese).
Schlacter noted the free event is made possible through generous donors.
“Not only are we able to provide spay and neuter surgeries to the pets at this clinic, but we’re also able to provide age-appropriate vaccines and microchips — a well-rounded approach to helping these pets and keeping them with their family,” she said. “Safe, healthy and loved is really what we’re going for.”
Learn more about the clinic by visiting the Bissell Pet Foundation’s website.
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