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WAG
FANS
Financial
Assistance for
Neuter and
Spay
The purpose of
the WAG Financial Assistance for Spay and Neuter Program is to make spay
and neuter services more financially accessible to low income residents
of Whistler, Pemberton, and Mount Currie. This program is made possible
through a partnership between Coast Mountain Veterinary Services and
WAG.
Spaying and
neutering is the most effective, efficient and humane method of
controlling pet populations and eliminating the flow of homeless and
unwanted animals into the shelter.
This program
will provide pet owners with financial assistance to make spaying and
neutering affordable. The program is aimed at assisting residents most
in need: low income and those on social assistance.
Our local
veterinarian has reduced their fees for the program. The client covers a
portion of the cost, and the balance is covered by WAG, through
fundraising and donations to the WAG spay and neuter fund.
Please do not
jeopardize this program and our relationship with our veterinarian by
applying if you do not qualify financially. There are many Sea to Sky
residents whose pets could not be spayed or neutered if it were not for
this program. Please do not abuse this program but help keep it alive
for those who really need it! If you are not sure you qualify or you
have a special circumstance, please call us at (604) 935-8364 to see if
we can help you.
Applications are available at
WAG, Coast Mountain Veterinary Hospital, Pemberton Veterinary Hospital
and the Mount Currie Band Office. Completed Applications can be mailed
to WAG, dropped off at the shelter or faxed to WAG, along with copies of
required docomentation.
Approved applicants will be
notified by WAG and provided with an approval number. The owner is then
responsible for booking their surgery date with the veterinary clinic
and providing their approval number to the clinic at the time of
booking. Clients will then be required to pay their fee to the clinic
at that time of dropping off their pet (not at the time of pick up)
Participating clinics are Coast Mountain Veterinary Services (Whistler)
and Pemberton Veterinary Hospital (Pemberton). The clinic will then bill
WAG monthly for its portion of the fees.
What is included
in the program?
●presurgical
examination
●Pre-anesthetic
injection
●Induction/intubation
●anesthetic
(inhalant)
●spay/neuter
●post surgical
monitoring
Absorbable sutures will be used
so that clients will not need to bring their pet back to the clinic for
suture removal. Bucket collars may be purchased from the vet clinic or
rented from WAG.
What is not
included in the program?
●pre-operative
blood screen
●vaccinations
●Additional
charges for pregnant females/females in heat
●post-operative
pain medication
●other
procedures, tests, treatments
●follow-up
veterinary care should it be necessary
Pet owners are
responsible for transporting their pet to and from the veterinary
hospital.
What are the
fees?
Fees for clients will vary with the gender, age,
and size of your pet. The following is guideline of fees only and fees
may be changed at any time:
Canine Neuter $53-60
Canine Spay $62-85
(additional charges may apply to pregnant
females or females in heat)
Feline Neuter $34
Feline Spay
$52-62
Eligibility of
Animals
Spaying and
neutering can now be safely performed on cats and dogs as young as 8
weeks. WAG and its partner veterinarians have been performing such
prepubescent spaying and neutering on shelter animals for many years now
with excellent results. Concerns regarding obesity, stunted growth,
underdevelopment of secondary sex characteristics, behavioural problems,
and increased incidents of lower urinary tract disease and urinary
incontinence have found to be unwarranted. Prepubescent spaying and
neutering is less stressful for the animal and the animal has a faster
recovery period. Puppies must weigh at least 4 kg and kittens must weigh
at least 1 kg in order to safely undergo surgery.
The veterinarian
will perform an examination on each animal prior to surgery. In cases of
ill health, injury etc. the veterinarian may elect not to perform
surgery at that time.
What are the
criteria for qualification?
Eligibility is
based upon gross family income. Statistics Canada Low-income cut-offs
are used, but adjusted for Whistler and area. Applicants are asked to
provide a copy of their latest Tax Return Information Summary Sheet, as
well as three months worth of current pay stubs. Applicants in other
circumstances such as illness are also invited to provide supporting
documentation.
|
Is
your gross family income equal to or below
the following income levels: |
|
Family Size |
|
Gross Annual Family Income |
|
1 |
$22,619 |
|
2 |
$28,273 |
|
3 |
$35,164 |
|
4 |
$42,565 |
|
5 |
$47,581 |
|
6 |
$52,596 |
●
Applicants must reside within the Resort Municipality of Whistler,
Village of Pemberton, Mount Currie, or the Squamish-Lillooet Regional
District (with the exception of the District of Squamish)
●
Applicants must have resided within the above mentioned areas for a
minimum of 6 months at the time of application
Your participation in this
program is strictly voluntary. WAG assumes no risk for the health of
your pet or for the outcome of the surgery. WAG reserves the right to
cancel or modify this program at any time. This program is offered on
the basis of funds being available, thus WAG may not be able to offer
spay and neuter assistance at all times.
Let WAG help you
to help save lives! |