Charlie’s Place animal shelter offers financial assistance for spay/neuter procedures – Colorado Community Media

Charlie’s Place Animal Shelter Offers Affordable Spay/Neuter Options

Charlie’s Place animal shelter in Dumont offers an affordable option for dog and cat owners to get their pet spayed or neutered by offering vouchers of either $100 toward the procedure or making it free altogether.

Vouchers for Spay/Neuter Procedures

Income-qualifying residents of Clear Creek or Gilpin counties can receive a voucher from Charlie’s Place for a free spay or neuter for their pet at one of three local veterinary offices.

There are no income qualifications for a $100 voucher for a spay or neuter for dogs and cats, all local residents are eligible, according to shelter manager Sue LeBarron.

Addressing Overpopulation and Financial Barriers

“(The spay or neuter procedure) can be quite expensive these days, all vet care is expensive, but spay/neuters can be prohibitive so we don’t want anyone not to get it done for financial reasons,” LeBarron said.

The biggest reason for the financial aid program, LeBarron said, is the overwhelming overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats across the country and in neighboring counties.

Striving for a No-Kill Shelter

Charlie’s Place is a no-kill shelter but it’s becoming difficult to keep it that way as more animals come in than the shelter has capacity for, according to LeBarron.

Boxer mix Little Jo is a current resident of the shelter who didn’t seem to mind the accommodations, especially the morning walk out back. Making and keeping room for the Little Jos in the area is the shelter’s goal.

Little Jo came to Charlie’s Place a couple of months ago when his owner encountered housing difficulties, according to shelter workers who also say Little Jo loves attention and walks and is looking for a home with a relaxed atmosphere.

Funding and Appointment Information

Funding for the program is possible through the nonprofit Friends of Charlie’s Place, donations, and the annual Slacker Half Marathon from Loveland Ski Area to Georgetown.

Individual vouchers are available for each dog or cat if a family has more than one that needs to be spayed or neutered, according to LeBarron.

The individual owner will set the appointment with one of three participating local veterinarians. Same-day appointments are not available, LeBarron said.

Emphasizing the Importance of Spay/Neuter

LeBarron described the program as a great opportunity for pet owners that she sees as underutilized.

“There’s just far too many animals for families to take care of,” she said.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1: Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
• SDG 3: Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
• SDG 5: Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
• SDG 10: Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
• SDG 11: Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
• SDG 12: Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
• SDG 15: Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coloradocommunitymedia.com