Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The Sevier County Humane Society SPOT program is celebrating a milestone of pets spayed or neutered by sharing the story of a beagle mix named Rosie, number 7,000.
As the most effective way to reduce pet homelessness in East Tennessee, the Sevier County Humane Society SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today) Program is committed to bringing low cost spay/neuter services to Sevier County residents and the pets they love.
“Having your dog or cat fixed is good for your pet, good for your family and good for your community”, says Humane Society Director Michaela Sorey. “SPOT reached its 7000th client in December when Diane brought Rosie to be spayed. That is 7000 litters that we will never see at the shelter.”
Diane Hayes called the Sevier County Humane Society after Rosie, a stray Beagle Mix came to her house the first part of December. “Rosie had been coming for almost two weeks and I was feeding her. It appeared she recently had puppies and one night when it was cold and raining, she led me to them.” Rosie had been caring for three tiny puppies on her own. Diane signed Rosie up for the SPOT Program so she would be spayed and is no longer a homeless dog and she brought the puppies to the Sevier County Humane Society to be fixed and put up for adoption.
The benefits of spaying and neutering pets not only helps fight pet overpopulation but may also reduce some reproductive conditions such as testicular or prostrate cancer in male dogs or cats and mammary tumors, ovarian or uterine cancer or infections in female dogs or cats. “Pets that are altered are less likely to roam as they look for a mate, or be hit by a car or exhibit nuisance behavior such as fighting, howling or biting,” says Sorey.
The SPOT Program is excited about this milestone but insists there is still much more to be done to help educate the public on responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutered. “We hope to bring high-quality, low cost spay/neuter options to every pet in Sevier County,” Sorey said. “SPOT will continue to seek out opportunities and encourage people to use the program or to sponsor a spay through a donation.”
For more information, to make a contribution or to sign your pet up, please call the Sevier County Humane Society.
The Sevier County Humane Society was founded in 1974 as the first animal shelter in Sevier County. It is a private, 501c.3 organization governed by a volunteer board of directors operating on community support and contributions.
For more information, please visit our Facebook page at SevierCountyHumaneSociety or call 865-453-7000
