In the Metro area alone, shelters have to kill more than 80,000 animals a year simply because there aren't enough homes for them. The only way to stop the flood of animals into our shelters is if we spay and neuter our pets. But many people can't afford the $200 to $300 vet bill for this procedure.

There are options.

Here are some low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics or voucher programs available in the metro area:

• LifeLine Animal Project Spay & Neuter Clinic in Avondale Estates: www.atlantapets.org or call 404-292-8800, Ext. 24.

• West Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic in Villa Rica: Operated by the Carroll County Humane Society. Www.westgeorgiaspayneuter.com, 678-840-8072.

• Project Catsnip: Metrowide mobile van. Www.projectcatsnip.com, 770-448-6806.

• SANTA (Spay and Neuter Team of Atlanta in Marietta): www.spay-neuterteam.com, 678-560-6070.

• Project Spay/Neuter – Pet Vet of Cumming: www.tracylanddvm.com, 770-887-1565.

• Cat Care Hospital in Marietta: 770-424-6369.

• Atlanta Humane Society: atlantahumane.org, 404-875-6420.

• Fulton County Animal Services: Free spay/neuter certficates for Fulton County residents who can't afford the procedure for their pets. Www.fultonanimalservices.com, 404-794-0358.

• Casper's Fund: From Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends, Inc., www.caspersfund.org, 678-318-1886.

• Friends of Animals: www.friendsofanimals.org.

• PAWS Atlanta: www.pawsatlanta.org, 770-593-1155.

• SpayGeorgia: Metro area. Www.spaygeorgia.org, 770-662-4479.

• Humane Society of Cobb County: www.humanecobb.org, 770-428-9882.

— For other programs statewide, go to www.spotsociety.org or call 404-584-7768.