Pasadena Humane Society offering free spay & neuter for chihuahuas

In an effort to reduce pet overpopulation, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will be offering free spay and neuter surgeries for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes starting Jan. 1. Chihuahuas have become a prominent part of the general kennel population.

The new program, which is part of the agency’s Spay and Neuter in Pasadena (SNiP) program, is developed to encourage owners to sterilize their Chihuahuas, and, in turn, reduce overpopulation. The free service applies to Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes up to 15 pounds for residents of the shelter’s service cities -- Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, Arcadia and Glendale. Owners can also request their dog to be microchipped at no additional charge. Since June 2010, PHS has developed strong partnerships with East Coast shelters to balance the population by transporting more than 200 Chihuahuas to Richmond, Va. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“This has been an ongoing trend for quite some time now,” said Ricky Whitman, spokesperson for the Pasadena Humane Society. “We’re striving to help the animals and their owners through our public clinic. This is a wonderful resource we hope pet owners will use.”

SNiP was developed more than 10 years ago to offer low-cost services to residents in the agency’s seven service cities. The program also provides a public low-cost vaccine clinic for cats and dogs every year. Pets must be a minimum of two months old and weigh at least two pounds to have surgery. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the SNiP Coordinator at (626) 792-7151 extension 138.

About the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA

Founded in 1903, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is an independent, donor-supported, non-profit agency that provides animal care for abandoned and homeless animals. An open door agency, PHS welcomes and cares for all animals in La Cañada Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Glendale, Pasadena and South Pasadena regardless of age, medical condition, behavior or breed. For more information, visit: www.pasadenahumane.org.