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 The BC SPCA’s Prince George Spay/Neuter Clinic, which opened in October 2005 to help deal with the region's overwhelming pet overpopulation crisis, celebrated its 5,000th operation in April 2007. Dr. Kim Yuill, the hard-working veterinarian who oversees the clinic, can already see the impact the initiative is having on the community.
"Some days it's a challenge to keep up with the number of animals coming in to be sterilized, which is such a wonderful problem to have," says Dr. Yuill. “With every operation we do, we are reducing the animals who will suffer."
Since joining the clinic one year ago, Dr. Yuill has personally performed nearly 2,500 spay/neuter operations. But she says the merits of the job definitely outweigh the physical aches and pains that come with a busy surgery schedule. "People are always telling us how glad they are that we're here," she says.
The local BC SPCA branch is the busiest in the province, rescuing 4,500 animals each year, which is more than it can safely handle. In 2004, 51% of the rescued animals had to be euthanized due to deterioration in their physical and/or psychological health that was directly attributable to the overcrowded conditions. With realistic solutions such as a Spay Neuter Clinic, it is hoped that within the next five years, surrenders will drop by 50%, and that the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in the region will be reduced to zero by the year 2010.
Marina
Vancouver, BC
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