Program helps seniors afford pet sterilization

The Chesterfield County Animal Shelter is now offering a voucher program to help offset the cost of spaying and neutering newly adopted pets.

The Chesterfield County Animal Shelter launched a voucher program to help senior citizens with the cost of spaying or neutering dogs and cats adopted from the shelter on June 1.

The Senior Citizen Pet Sterilization program applies to seniors ages 55 and older who adopt a cat or dog from the shelter. Seniors will receive a $30 voucher to help with the cost of spaying or neutering their newly adopted companion animals. Participating veterinarians will bill Chesterfield County Animal Control for reimbursement of the $30.

"The program is designed to help homeless dogs and cats find loving homes, reduce the birth rate of unwanted animals, and pass on a cost savings to seniors who adopt and spay or neuter a pet," said Alice Berry, Animal Control manager. "Animals are wonderful companions and improve the quality of life for animal lovers of all ages."

The Chesterfield County Humane Society is partnering with the Animal Control Division to provide additional funding for this program and to help the shelter find homes for unwanted animals and reduce the birth rate of unwanted animals.