Cape Coral’s local animal shelter has announced that it is a recipient of a grant that will provide free spay and neutering to qualified pet owners.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter has earned a grant from the Florida Animal Friend spay/neuter license program. Funds from every purchased license plate allows Florida Animal Friend to grant up to $25,000 each to dozens of Florida non-profit animal organizations annually in an effort to end animal homelessness.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, on any given day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born, resulting in thousands of newborn litters left without a home. By spaying and neutering pets, there is a possible solution to pet overpopulation.

“Our shelter sees firsthand the crisis we are facing with unwanted puppies and kittens,” said Executive Director Liz McCauley. “We cannot adopt our way out of this crisis. We are grateful for this Florida Animal Friend grant and will use it to provide spay/neuter services to those who cannot afford our already low fees and to help with community cats. It is our goal to get to the root of the problem, and that begins with spay/neuter.”

As a result of this grant, CCAS is able to provide free spay/neuter services to qualified individuals who cannot afford the procedure.

In collaboration with Cape Coral Pet Vet and Dr. Cecilia Fisher, CCAS is sponsoring 75 Free Spay/Neuter surgeries Trap, Neuter, Release cats for Community Cats. All cats must be in traps and will receive a rabies vaccine and be ear tipped.

CCAS is also promoting the license plate program so that more funds can be granted to organizations like CCAS, whose mission is to help control the pet population and decrease the number of unwanted and abandoned animals throughout Florida. Any individual who purchases a “Florida Animal Friend” license plate from now until April 30 and shows CCAS their application will be entered in a drawing to receive door prizes and special gifts, compliments of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter and Veterinary Clinic.

To apply for a free spay/neuter, contact CCAS’s veterinary clinic at 239-573-2002 Ext. 106.

To schedule an appointment for TNR cats, contact Cape Coral Pet Vet directly at 239-772-2009.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter and Veterinary Clinic has been serving the community since March of 2020 and has found homes for 5,000 unwanted, neglected, and abandoned animals. The full-service clinic is open to the public, accepting new clients, and is at 325 Southwest 2nd Avenue.