San Diego, August 13, 2018 – The Spay-Neuter Action Project of San Diego, or SNAP, today announced that the “Neuter Scooter” surgical bus turns 15 this month, or 105, in dog years. This organizational milestone will be recognized with a cake celebration on Wednesday, August 15, 12-1pm, at Camp Run-A-Mutt located at 35 N 4th Avenue in Chula Vista.
SNAP, a registered non-profit founded in 1990, is recognized as the first organization in San Diego County, to implement programs to reduce the number of companion animals euthanized in local shelters each year. They published the very first referral guide of affordable spay/neuter providers in the region, to tackle the ongoing problem of pet overpopulation at its source. An improvement was realized in the number of shelter intakes from some zip codes, but lower-income communities trailed behind significantly. SNAP became an affordable spay/neuter provider in 2003, to bring services directly into these areas struggling with chronic pet overpopulation. An average of 500 procedures are performed each month on location, by a fully trained and California State licensed veterinary team inside the surgical bus. Over 70,000 combined cats and dogs have been altered to date.
The bus is on the road practically 365 days a year. Its top priority is travelling to targeted communities lacking affordable veterinarians, public and private spay/neuter programs and pet education, for up to 20 spay/neuter clinics per month and a large dog only specialty clinic each quarter. The Neuter Scooter doubles as an educational tool at weekly clinics, community events large and small, pet informational fairs, and class field trips. “When people visit our iconic bus, we have an opportunity to ask about any pets in the home, answer general pet health questions, advise on feral or community cats, hand out information on proper pet care and available programs, collect contact information, and advocate for adoption as the only option,” said Dorell Sackett, SNAP Executive Director.
As early birthday presents, the Neuter Scooter received a new backup generator and trailer through funding from the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors, plus a new operating table with all the latest features, through funding from the Carol and Kent H Landsberg Foundation. These capital acquisitions are critical to the well-being of companion animals entrusted to us by the greater community. “We are pet owners, too, and know the angst of leaving pets behind, so this added equipment means safety first” said Ms. Sackett.
SNAP publicly thanks the Neuter Scooter for its hard work over the years, as well as our clients who understand the importance of responsible pet ownership by spaying and neutering pets.
For more information about SNAP, please visit www.snap-sandiego.org or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by using #SNAPsandiego.