Humane Society to Launch Mobile Spay & Neuter Service

Hawai‘i Island Humane Society Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin’. Courtesy photo.

The Hawai‘i Island Humane Society will begin a new mobile spay and neutering service beginning in August in an effort to prevent pet overpopulation on Hawai‘i Island.

The mobile center will be staffed by a professionally trained and licensed veterinarian and supported by veterinary assistants and volunteers. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society staff member Whitney Sickels and her father drove the mobile center from Ohio to Long Beach, California where it was shipped to Hawai‘i and arrived on island in July.

“Eliminating pet overpopulation is a primary goal of the Hawai‘i Island Humane Society,” said Hawai‘i Island Humane Society Executive Director Donna Whitaker. “As an organization, we decided to take our spay and neuter program on the road and eliminate barriers by bringing our services to areas of need around the island. Through the generosity of the Laurence H. Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation, the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation and our community donors, we will be able to make a big impact by providing needed services in the more rural and remote communities.”

Through grant support and $100,000 in community fundraising, the Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin’ is scheduled for the following times and locations:

• Monday, Aug. 13: The Animal Community Center, Keauhou;
• Monday, Aug. 20: St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Ocean View;
• Monday, Aug. 27: Hamakua Harvest Farmer’s Market.

To be eligible for spay and neuter services, dogs and cats must be healthy; puppies and kittens must be at least eight weeks old and weigh two pounds. Female dogs and cats in heat and feral cats (feral cats will be tested for Feline Aids and Leukemia prior to surgery) will be accepted for surgery. Rabbits, guinea pigs, livestock or other non-dog or -cat animals, unhealthy animals or those with contagious illnesses will not be accepted.

Additionally, animals in the care of an animal welfare or rescue organization will not be accepted for mobile services. These services are provided to animal rescue groups at Hawai‘i Island Humane Society’s Kona and Kea‘au shelters.

For more information and upcoming dates, visit hihs.org.