County neutering plan set

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

Clark County is encouraging pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats during January, offering low- or no-cost vouchers for the procedures.

The county's Animal Control department is making $20,000 worth of vouchers available to residents through Jan. 31. The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society is complementing that with 300 vouchers for cat spaying and neutering.

The county money comes from fees paid by pet owners to claim their animals from the county-run shelter. Included in the $50 fee is a $35 voucher to spay or neuter the pets. The low-cost and free voucher program is paid by unredeemed vouchers.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people don't sterilize their animals," Roseanne Conforto of the county shelter said. "Rather than put the money back into the general fund, we put it into a trust to help other animals."

Twenty-three local veterinarians accept the vouchers, which are good for 30 days. Because participating vets have been overbooked in past offerings, the vouchers are good as long as an appointment is made for sterilizations within the 30-day period.

For more information on the county spay and neutering program, call 455-7712. The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society can be reached at 434-2009.