GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Bissell Pet Foundation is hosting and funding the Grand Rapids area's first free spay/neuter clinic this month.
Operation Fix the Future Grand Rapids aims to spay or neuter 1,000 pets in West Michigan in four days to combat pet homelessness. Pets can also receive age-appropriate vaccinations, including rabies vaccines and microchips.
The four-day clinic will be held March 13-16 at 3900 4 Mile Rd. Located in Northeast Grand Rapids.
Kathy Bissell, founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation, said the need for spay and neuter services is critical as shelters and rescues are reaching capacity.
“Proactive sterilization of pets addresses the root cause of animal overpopulation by preventing unplanned births,” Bissell said. “We are committed to impacting the lives of homeless and pet owners in Grand Rapids and beyond by making spay and neuter services more accessible and affordable for our communities. I’m here.”
This event is in partnership with Big Lakes Humane Society, Harbor Humane, West Michigan Humane Society and Kent County Animal Shelter.
Six operating tables will be operational under the direction of veterinarian Dr. Sharon Marsh and the BPF team, who will coordinate veterinarians, technicians and volunteers.
The clinic is part of a national effort by the Bissell Pet Foundation to make spay and neuter services more affordable and accessible to pet owners and shelters alike.
“We fund national spay/neuter grants, send relief veterinarians to serve shelters, and host clinics across the country,” Bissell Marketing and Public Relations Specialist said Brittany Schlachter. “This is the first time we've hosted it here in Grand Rapids, so we're especially excited to be able to help pets right here in our hometown.”
All services are free to the community on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. each day and surgeries beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Only cats will be seen on Wednesday, March 13th and 14th, and only dogs will be seen on Friday, March 15th and 16th. We also accept trapped and neutered (feral) cats until 1pm.
Schlachter told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that about 200 pets per day are expected, depending on the speed of each surgery.
He said the four-day event is a high-quality, high-volume clinic, so the foundation aims to serve as many pets as possible during that time.
“There were others that were smaller, but nothing this big,” she said. “This is important to our community and needed right now. We want to ensure that no other unplanned birth impacts pets that end up in shelters and rescues in our community. I would like to do so.”
The Bissell Pet Foundation is asking participants not to feed their pets after midnight the day before surgery. Additional clinic rules include:
- All pet parents must be 18 years or older to register a pet.
- Be prepared to wait. Please bring drinks and snacks if necessary.
- Dogs should be kept on a leash rather than in a kennel. Cats must be kept in a carrier or live cage.
- No dogs over 65 pounds or 10 years old.
- Brachycephalic dogs (English bulldogs, French bulldogs, bull mastiffs, Boston terriers, pugs, Pekingese) are not permitted.
Schlachter said this free event was made possible through generous donations.
“At this clinic, we can not only provide spay/neuter surgeries for pets, but also age-appropriate vaccines and microchips. This is a holistic approach to helping these pets and allowing them to live with their families. ” she said. “Being safe, healthy and loved is what we strive for.”
For more information about the clinic, please visit the Bissell Pet Foundation website.
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