Spay/Neuter Clinic for Cats Jan. 13 in Leilani Estates

Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary will hold a spay/neuter clinic for cats at the Leilani Estates Community Center this Sunday from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The cost is $45 for domestic cats and $25 for feral cats. Financial assistance is available.

Owners need to pre-register their cats for the event. Cats should not be given food or water after 8 p.m. the night before the surgery and they need to be brought to the clinic in carriers or humane traps.

“We’ll also do a flea treatment for the cats, clean their ears, and will microchip feral cats,” says clinic coordinator, Sandi Alstrand.

Domestic cat owners can have their cat(s) microchipped for an additional $10.

Pet overpopulation is a serious issue on our island.

It’s estimated that 13,000 wild and domesticated animals are euthanized on the Big Island every year.

Humanely spaying and neutering animals is an effective way to reduce overpopulation.

Rainbow Friends has offered spay/neuter clinics on a regular basis for the past year.

“We started doing these clinics regularly last year and we feel it’s really making a difference,” says Alstrand.

“We feel it’s really important that people spay and neuter their animals.”

Alstrand says the Sanctuary, which currently houses 80 dogs and 250 cats, will continue to hold spay/neuter clinics throughout the year.

To register or for more information call Sandi Alstrand, clinic coordinator, at 896-5816, or Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary at 982-5110.