PANAMA CITY — A few snafus pushed back opening day surgeries at the new animal clinic, but, since it was three years coming, staff members were glad to finally establish it as a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.
“It is an emotional, exciting, wonderful time,” said Starla Raiborn, director at Operation Spay Bay, “Mainly because we know, wow, we’re really going to make a difference here.”
Operation Spay Bay is a coalition of local animal rescue groups that partnered to help diminish the number of euthanized animals through spay and neuter surgeries. The group has been working on establishing a clinic for three years.
— GALLERY: Operation Spay Bay clinic photos »
— VIDEO: Check back Tuesday morning for a video
Due to failed oxygen tank deliveries for animal surgeries and lighting issues, the clinic quietly opened Monday, though Monday’s services were rescheduled for Tuesday. The clinic at 1600 Bay Ave. is behind the Humane Society “igloo” building, which sits behind the Panama City Police Department on U.S. 98.
“When you consider more than 7,000 animals are euthanized every year in this community alone, this service —low-cost spay and neuter — will hopefully put an end to that problem,” Raiborn said at the clinic Monday.
What may cost $200 to $300 at many animal clinics is being offered at the low-cost clinic for dogs 50 pounds or less at $50; over 50 pounds the cost is $70, and for cats, services are $35.
Surgeries are available for cats and dogs.
By making it affordable, Raiborn said, people in the community can bring their pets in or trap feral animals to bring in for the surgery.
“It means that hopefully those numbers will begin reducing [the pet population] to manageable proportions so that the rescue groups already active in this area can find homes for animals that need them,” she added.
Booked this week
The clinic will open its doors to the community for a “hard opening” next Monday. This week’s schedule is booked already with appointments.
Staffed with a veterinarian, veterinarian technician and two prep technicians, the clinic is prepared to perform about 38 surgeries per day. Other services include rabies shots, nail trims, microchipping, flee treatments and vaccinations.
Tears filled the wells of Terry Cotter’s eyes when she entered the facility early Monday morning.
“Coming here today knowing that we are realizing the dream that we have worked on hard for the last three years,” Cotter said, “was just awesome.”
Cotter sees the clinic solving the animal population problem by doing about 7,000 spays and neuters a year, once the program is running at full capacity.
“So, right there, it’ll immediately start reducing the population,” she added. “I can’t believe we’re here. Here we go, Bay County.”
Donations needed:
– Pink and blue 3x5 flash cards
– Newspapers
– Bleach
– Laundry detergent
– Pine Sol
– Dish detergent
– Peroxide
– Windex
– Rubbing alcohol
– Lysol spray
– Hand soap
– Hand sanitizer