"font-size: small;">BAY

MINETTE, Ala. — Just weeks after Baldwin County Humane Society

(BARC!) initiated a discount pet spay-and-neuter program, a

significant portion of the funding is already

gone.

"font-size: small;">“We’re a

quarter of the way through the program,” BARC Executive Director

Sonja Presley said in a telephone interview.

"font-size: small;">As

previously reported, BARC received a $55,000 grant from PetSmart

Charities that would enable 1,000 pets in Bay Minette to be spayed

or neutered for a cost of $7 to their owners. All they have to do

is purchase the discount vouchers from Bay Minette Animal Clinic,

located at 1900 Hand Ave., North Baldwin Animal Shelter, located at

1700 McMeans Ave. or the BARC! Office in Fairhope. Once there, they

need to show a photo identification proving their Bay Minette

residency.

"font-size: small;">In

addition, pet owners need to show proof of annual income, which

needs to be less than $30,000. As previously reported, that could

include a W-2 form, Social Security letter, Medicaid letter or

disability letter.

"font-size: small;">Once

eligibility is established, pet owners can purchase as many

vouchers as they need for their pets. When the vouchers are in

hand, pet owners have plenty of options for the actual

operation.  Then one of 19

participating Baldwin County veterinarians will “fix” the pet. That

includes Bay Minette Animal Clinic and Giles Animal Hospital, both

in Bay Minette, as well as 17 additional participants scattered

throughout the county.

"font-size: small;">Presley

explained that the grant included funds to promote the discount

program.

"font-size: small;">“We put up

a billboard there at McDonalds,” she said, “and a banner at Dr.

Palmer’s office.”

"font-size: small;">In

addition, Presley made a point to make sure every person in Bay

Minette who has a mailbox was made aware of the

program.

"font-size: small;">“I sent

8,151 pieces of mail out,” she said. “It went to every individual,

business and post-office box.”

"font-size: small;">It seems

that promotion has worked. According to Presley, the program is

designed to last through November or the funds are depleted. But

just a month in, more than 250 discount vouchers have been

sold.

"font-size: small;">“At this

rate, they’re going to be sold out within a month,” Presley said.

“So if people need them, they don’t need to

wait.”