By John Walker
Special to Inside
CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) and PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) Chicago are teaming up to educate pet owners on the importance of spaying/neutering their pets as a means to create safer communities. Spay/neuter prevents dog bites and discourages dog fighting, as it reduces canine aggression. Additionally, spay/neuter provides pets with a host of health benefits and effectively controls stray pet populations.
CAPS will be distributing 15,000 free vouchers citywide for PAWS Chicago's Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic, focusing on low-income neighborhoods truly in need of free pet sterilization (a surgery that generally costs $120 through veterinary practices). PAWS Chicago operates the only free spay/neuter clinic located in and serving these communities, and also offers free pet transportation to and from the Clinic.
"This is an important partnership for CAPS because it enables us to keep residents safe from aggressive dog attacks," says Vance Henry, Director of CAPS. "PAWS provides an invaluable service by offering free spay/neuter surgery to keep pets healthy."
The CAPS Program works by developing partnerships among the community, police and City agencies to address safety and disorder problems. Through this partnership, CAPS seeks to prevent crime and improve the quality of life in all Chicago neighborhoods, by stopping illegal dog fighting in its tracks. For more information on the free spay/neuter voucher program, call the CAPS Implementation Office at (312) 747-9987 or PAWS Chicago at (773) 843-4884.
PAWS Chicago is a no-kill humane organization, envisioning a city in which pets are not destroyed just because they are homeless. Since opening its Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic in Little Village in November 2000, PAWS Chicago has spayed/neutered over 16,000 owned pets to date. Spay/neuter appointments must be scheduled by calling (773) 521-SPAY (7729). For more information on PAWS Chicago, please visit pawschicago.org. |
