Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) hopes to continue its reduced cost spay/neuter program with help from a mobile veterinary provider.
The local animal shelter supporters partnered with pet rescue Logan’s Run and another nonprofit, Animal Amor, both of North Carolina, to bring the Snippet Bus to town last week for a spay/neuter clinic in the courthouse parking lot on Broad Street. FOGAS normally holds drive-thru pet vaccination clinics in the same location.
The fully outfitted mobile clinic assists other pet-related organizations, and this was the first time it had been to Gilmer County, noted Sylvia Harris, FOGAS president.
“The first time you’re always working out a few kinks, but it actually went smoother than we expected. This was only their second time coming to this area. It was a trial run, and they really liked the setup (and location),” said Harris.
FOGAS has sponsored its reduced cost spay/neuter program for local residents since 2017, and more than 1,100 pets have been treated since the program began. Clinics were previously held at the Gilmer Civic Center, but that part of the facility is now used for office space.
Partnering with the Snippet Bus, which is owned by Dr. Laura Boggs, a North Carolina veterinarian, allows that program to continue. Owners can also get certain vaccinations for their pets when it comes to town, Harris noted.
“We’re hoping this will replace (our previous spay/neuter clinics). For one, we can now do more animals per month than we used to. They also offer more services than we are currently getting from the vets. This bus can also do our TNRs (trap, neuter releases), which are feral cats,” she added. “I think it’s really going to help the community and make a difference.”
A total of 18 pets, including 12 feral cats and six other dogs or cats, were treated at last week’s clinic.
FOGAS plans to bring the Snippet Bus back to Gilmer County on a monthly basis for as long as donation funding supports it. Reduced cost spay/neuter certificates will be available for purchase on their website (FOGASnow.com) at some point.
“We are working on a way where people can prepay on our website and get onto the list. It’s not up quite yet, but we’re working on it. The bus runs on Mondays and Fridays. Most of what we have will be Mondays,” Harris said.