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On February 9th and 10th, Horry County Animal Care Center's spokesperson, Kelly Benome, was on Chanel 13 news. She talked about reducing the euthanasia numbers at the shelter. She said the animal care center is doing 20 spay/neuters a month and that it will take time to reduce those numbers towards a lower kill. How can she make such a statement? With an estimate of just 100,000 free-roaming cats alone, it will take more than 400 years to reduce the cat population alone in Horry County. Oh wait, free-roaming cats are NOT even included in this program. So Horry County has NO plan to reduce the cat population at all, which is the single largest animal issue in Horry County. Further proof that the animal care center needs a new director who can implement meaningful changes that help the community. On August 9th, the county began their program for a spay/neuter clinic. The charges are: Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for cats $50.00; dogs are $80.00. However the following vaccinations are required : for cats, they must have current vaccinations for rabies, calici virus, panleukopenia, and rhinotrachetitis (FVRCP) and have tested negative for FELV/FIV within the last year, and be free of parasites and fleas for dogs, must have current distemper, parvo, bordatellla, rabies vaccinations and have tested negative for heartworms within the last year, and be parasite and flea free Since HCACC does not do any blood work, you must first go to a veterinarian for testing for either a cat or a dog. Most veterinarians require an office visit for testing; you need the required vaccinations given at that time, which will cost you more than $100.00 BEFORE you can schedule a low-cost spay/neuter at HCACC. Result: two office visits at a total cost of more than $100.00 for a cat and more than $150.00 for a dog! Additionally, after your animal leaves surgery, NO FOLLOW-UP CARE WILL BE PROVIDED! If your animal has a problem after you leave the care center,, you must go to an outside veterinarian or the animal emergency room for follow-up care, requiring an additional expense. This low-cost spay/neuter surgery is anything but low-cost. It is an expensive surgery and troubling at the same time. It explains why Horry County Animal Care Center is only doing between 20 - 40 spay/neuters a month. This program is another in a line of failed programs brought to you by our county council members. This is another example why we need new leadership at the animal care center. Apparently the $75,000 Horry County Council budgeted only covers staff and supplies. How does this help our residents? It doesn't! A failed attempt to help our Horry County residents! This is totally unacceptable. County Council Members are not listening or hearing their residents requests for help. When will they listen and do something positive for our residents and our community? Is this really the best they can do? Free-roaming community cats are not eligible at all, even though this the largest group of animals needing services in our community. Many residents need low-cost clinics to fix these animals; again no help for our residents at all. Once again County Council Members are NOT providing the necessary monies needed for an affordable spay and neuter programs our county residents need. Bikini Beach Cat Rescue charges $55 to spay or neuter a cat, which includes a 1 yr. rabies vaccination with a budget 1/1oth of what Horry County has. Call your elected council member and and tell him residents need low-cost spay/neuter clinics. Tell him this spay/neuter clinic program Horry County offered is a sad attempt to help YOU, a resident and voter of Horry County. Tell him we need real and positive change. |
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