Two separate organizations are planning to open low-cost spay/neuter clinics in Charleston this summer.
The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association is opening Fix Charleston, which will be located in the lower level of the humane association's Greenbrier Street facility. That clinic is set to open June 1, animal shelter officials announced Friday.
"Fix Charleston has been a dream of KCHA's dedicated board and staff since becoming a lifesaving facility in 2013," Chelsea Staley, KCHA director, said in a news release. "We've always wanted to maximize our facility to prevent pet overpopulation through affordable, accessible spay/neuter."
Veterinarian Paul Fleming will lead the clinic. The Humane Association opened an in-house clinic last year, but services have been limited to shelter pets.
Humane association officials say the impact of the new clinic will be huge. The clinic will be equipped to provide spay/neuter and wellness care to 8,750 animals per year, according to the release.
To contribute money to the Humane Association, go to adoptcharleston.com/give or call 304-342-1576 ext. 124.
Appointments can be scheduled at the humane association's clinic starting in mid-May. The average fee is $75 per client.
Another group, the Charleston Regional Spay Neuter Center, hopes to open the Fix'Em clinic this summer at 102 Dee Drive, off Hillcrest Drive in Charleston, said Lisa Mitchell, the group's president.
The Fix'Em group is hoping to raise money to renovate its building, located in the Hillcrest Office Park. The organization, which incorporated as a nonprofit group in 2013, has raised $70,000 already and is getting $90,000 in grant money from the ASPCA, Mitchell said. Once the clinic is open, they anticipate being able to spay or neuter 30 cats or dogs a day.
"A high-volume operation is the only way to substantially impact the overpopulation of cats and dogs in our communities," Mitchell said in a news release. "We look forward to opening this summer and serving the people and pets in our communities. Pet lovers can be a part of this exciting community project by going to our website to donate, and of course, we love volunteers."