The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center (LACAC) has launched a new Spay it Forward initiative to help cover the cost of having pets spayed or neutered at participating veterinarians in Gregg County. The program will help reduce the number of stray or unwanted animals in the community and is made possible by community donations. Local nonprofits provided the initial funding for the program. Longview PAWS has committed $20,000 towards the effort, and the Humane Society of Northeast Texas has committed $10,000. Organizations or individuals interested in supporting the effort are encouraged to make a donation to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center or Longview PAWS.
“East Texans are known for being friendly, open, and willing to support their neighbors in need,” said Animal Services Manager Chris Kemper. "In the five years since opening our facility, we’ve had success at both increasing adoptions and decreasing our intake of unwanted animals. We already spay and neuter every animal that is made available for adoption. The Spay It Forward program allows us to increase our impact to the community at large in partnership with local veterinarians.”
It is not uncommon during the summer months to have as many as 585 animals admitted to the animal shelter in a single month. Those numbers are twice the admissions seen during non-summer months.
To apply for a voucher for a spay or neuter operation, please contact the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center at 903-297-7387 (PETS). Eligible applicants must be Gregg County residents whose annual household income is below $50,000.
Spay it Forward is a proactive, community-centered approach to addressing the core issues of unwanted animals in Gregg County. Individuals who wish to help LACAC and Longview PAWS provide help to their neighbors by making a tax-deductible donation are encouraged to do so. The more vouchers that are available, the fewer unwanted animals there will be.