Susan Freiberg picked up 8-month-old Peaches from the streets before she became a feral cat.
“She’s just a sweetheart, she loves to snuggle,” she said.
- SNIP-it Spay and Neuter Clinic opens in Kissimmee
- Non-profit hopes to reduce pet overpopulations
- Plans to perform 7,500 surgeries this year
Freiberg has had trouble finding an affordable place to get Peaches spayed, until SNIP-it of Central Florida recently opened a clinic in Kissimmee.
"I found this place and the price was so much better and local,” Freiberg explained.
SNIP-it is a non-profit that is trying to reduce pet overpopulation in Central Florida.
“Because of our climate we have a real problem with feral cats. They can easily have 2-3 litters a year of 4-6 kittens at a time,” said SNIP-it veterinarian Mary Bilodeau.
While there are some more affordable options in the area, not every pet owner can use them.
In Freiberg's case, she tried Osceola County Animal Control but they use mobile units and because Peaches is FIV positive -- an AIDS-like syndrome -- she was told Peaches had to be operated on in a brick building.
Clinic staff say there’s benefits to spaying and neutering early.
“One of the biggest things they’ve actually proven now, is that animals that are spayed or neutered before the age of 6 months will not have reproductive cancer show up later in life,” said clinic director Susan Muncy.
Freiberg is grateful to have found a place like SNiP-it.
“So I can’t complain, as opposed to a private vet was over $400 for doing the same thing,” she said.
This clinic is planning to perform 7,500 surgeries just this year, all with the help of grants and donations. Osceola County is leasing the building they’re using for $1 per year.
SNiP-it of Central Florida appreciates volunteers and monetary donations but they can also use stuff, like towels, blankets, newspapers, laundry detergent and bleach.
Hours services, prices and hours of operation, head to the SNIP-it website.