Fayette County plans spay/neuter policy

Cats and dogs offered for adoption in Fayette County may be spayed and neutered first if shelter policy is revised. Courtesy Fayette County Animal Shelter

Cats and dogs offered for adoption in Fayette County may be spayed and neutered first if shelter policy is revised. Courtesy Fayette County Animal Shelter

Ongoing updates to procedures at the Fayette County Animal Shelter will likely include spaying or neutering cats and dogs before they are offered for adoption.

Shelter Director Jerry Collins discussed possible changes with the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 14. One approach would be to borrow $10,000 from the general fund to launch a spay/neuter program that would be self-supporting through higher adoption fees. The cost to adopters would still be lower than standard veterinary rates, and doing so would ensure that animals adopted from the shelter could not add to the pet overpopulation problem.

The county administrator and attorney agreed to draft language for consideration at the board’s Oct. 26 meeting.