People living in Travis County have one last chance Sunday to get their pet spayed or neutered for free.
The Austin Animal Center and the nonprofit Greater Good Charities are hosting the drive-thru community clinic at Travis County Exposition Center.
“If they are a cat or a dog, we will be happy to intake them,” said Valeria Moreno, Public Health Educator with Austin Animal Center. “We do not have any requirements on size, breed, even like sex or anything like that. So, we will welcome them if they are dogs or cats.”
On Saturday, the event hit capacity as 300 pet owners showed up.
“It is very heartwarming to hear the stories that we do hear from the public that if it wasn’t for these type of clinics, they really wouldn’t know what to do,” said Moreno.
According to the event website, you must bring an ID or piece of mail showing you live in Travis County.
Cats must each be in a secure carrier or trap with a usable door.
If your pet’s been vaccinated in the last year, bring proof.
Registration is first-come, first-serve at the Travis County Expo Center from 7:30 to 10 a.m., or capacity is reached.
“It’s all walk-in,” Dr. Ruth Parkin, Veterinary Medical Director, Greater Good Charities. “So, just get here early. We’re expecting a big turnout again tomorrow. The gates open as early as 5:30, and we do have people in line at that time. So, we start bringing dogs in the door around 7:30.”
Organizers are aiming to complete 1,300 surgeries during the five-day-long event, which started January 8.
“One of the main things that it is important is gonna be for the health of our pets,” said Moreno. “One of the benefits that we do offer is to kind of help support, people, parents and their pets to kind of keep them healthy and all. But overall, this is actually doing a huge community deed by helping with a stray population that we have here in Austin.”
The next clinic will be held the first week of April.