The Scranton Area Community Foundation to Host Free Spay and Neuter Program The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is launching a free dog spay and neuter program for eligible participants in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, made possible because of a recent Bob Jones Dog Trust grant.The program will help eligible participants get their pet dog spay/neuter surgeries at no cost. This program is open to those who live in Lackawanna or Luzerne County and have a dog over the age of six months. Participants must prove eligibility before surgery is provided. To qualify for the program, participants must submit a copy of one of the following documents: Access Card award letter, dated utility receipt showing LIHEAP assistance, SSD/SSI award letter, PACE card, WIC card, or Medicaid card. This program is first come, first served until the grant funding is depleted.Interested participants can email AWC@safdn.org to apply. The services will be at the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, 336 Oak Drive in Dalton.The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is dedicated to bettering the life and care of pets in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “By providing this free spay and neuter program, the Collaborative will not only be able to get local dogs critical veterinary care, but we will also be able to keep more dogs from being surrendered to local shelters and rescues,” stated Bella Ceccoli, the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Coordinator. “The need for affordable spay and neuter services is great within our community, and this program, made possible because of a grant from the Bob Jones Dog Trust, will help eligible participants get their pets the services they need,” added Ceccoli. For more information about the spay and neuter program, please contact Bella Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation’s NEPA Animal Welfare Coordinator at AWC@safdn.org.
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative to Host 2nd Mobile Spay/Neuter Event The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, will sponsor its second mobile spay/neuter event in partnership with Eastern PA Animal Alliance (EPAA), on Thursday, July 29, 2021, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in Luzerne County at 588 Hazel Street in Wilkes Barre. This is the second of three mobile spay/neuter events to take place this year based on overwhelming need, sponsored by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. During the first event, which took place on July 22, 2021, in Lackawanna County, 51 pre-registered applicants brought their domestic or feral cats to receive spay/neuter services at a low cost ($5 for feral cats and $10 for domestic cats). Cats also received rabies and distemper vaccines as needed. This event aims to provide assistance to pet owners who may be facing economic challenges to help control the pet population across the region. “This is the second of three spay/ neuter events sponsored by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the first of which resulted in over 50 cats being spayed, neutered and vaccinated in one day,” stated Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO, Laura Ducceschi. “These mobile events are so important because they help to reduce the numbers of homeless animals and give people a very affordable option. We’re grateful to EPAA for making these services available.” Due to the high demand and the maximum capacity reached for this event, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is unable to take any additional applications for appointments for the scheduled mobile spay/neuter events at this time. Reporters and members of the media are invited to attend to cover the event. A project of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative works on initiatives aimed at ensuring animals in Northeastern Pennsylvania can achieve a happy and healthy life, free from abuse and neglect. The Collaborative is composed of over 40 individuals and organizations in the animal shelter, rescue, sanctuary, and welfare community including Griffin Pond, In Pursuit of Grace, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, and others. To learn more about the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative or to become involved, please visit the Collaborative’s website, nepaawc.org, or follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook. For more information about these mobile spay/neuter events, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Communications Manager at 570-347-6203. Donations to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative are accepted online at safdn.org or by check made payable to the Scranton Area Foundation indicating “NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Fund” in the memo mailed to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, 615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510.
