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" Pay
It Forward" Community Launches to Sponsor Spay/Neuter for
Pets
Website Connects Pet Owners with Pet Lovers to Help End
Pet Overpopulation
NORFOLK, VA -
May 3, 2011 - Life challenges, such as those brought on by
the recent recession, often prevent pet owners from spaying
or neutering their pets. However, with the help of the FiXiT
Foundation and its new initiative launching today,
GetYourFix.org, pet owners in need are now able
to find sponsors to fund their pets' spay/neuter to help
prevent overpopulation.
" Every
eight seconds, a dog or cat is euthanized in U.S. shelters
because of overpopulation," said Kellie Heckman, executive
director, FiXiT Foundation. 'With GetYourFix.org, we hope to
put an end to this by helping those in need. Paying it
forward is a common gesture in our society. This is an
opportunity to do something for the greater good, as well as
save the lives of millions of animals."
GetYourFix.org
is a website where pet owners can post a need for a 'fix,'
and 'unders,' who want to have a direct impact on ending
animal overpopulation, can connect with them and sponsor
their pet's surgery. Funders can connect directly with a low
cost spay/neuter clinic or veterinarian to donate the funds
or have FiXiT coordinate the surgery on their behalf.
" Many
pet owners have already posted profiles to GetYourFix.org
and shared their stories," said Stephanie Downs, president
of the board of directors, FiXiT Foundation. "Some of them
note that they saved an animal from an abusive situation or
abandonment and are unable to afford spay/neuter. Others
mention that they recently lost their job or moved from poor
living situations. Despite their economic status or how they
became a pet owner, everyone should have the opportunity to
spay or neuter their pets, and GetYourFix.org provides just
that."
There are
countless heartbreaking stories of pet owners who want to
spay or neuter their pets, but need a little help. One
profile story is of
Squeaky. Her owner is a truck driver that never planned
on being a pet owner, as he knew he did not have the
resources, but rescued Squeaky from an abusive situation.
Once spayed and housetrained, Squeaky will accompany him on
his long treks. There is also the story of
Mepurr Clyde, a seven-month old kitten who was adopted
for his owner's autistic son. However, Mepurr has just began
spraying, and the owner is unable to afford the cost of the
surgery because she recently lost her job.
" The
goal of GetYourFix.org is to close the affordability gap of
spay and neuter," said Downs. "With the increasing number of
mandatory spay and neuter programs, and many without funding
opportunities, GetYourFix.org is a way to connect needy pet
owners with sponsors to ensure that they are able to comply
with these programs while providing the best possible care
for their pets."
The
FiXiT Foundation launched a year ago to end euthanasia due
to pet overpopulation. Recently, it implemented a
spay/neuter case study on the island of St. Croix in the
U.S. Virgin Islands to test various incentive programs to
entice pet owners to spay or neuter their pets.
For more
information about GetYourFix.org, visit
http://www.getyourfix.org or text 'FIX' to 22122. For
more information about the FiXiT Foundation, visit
http://www.fixit-foundation.org. |