Spay Neuter Idaho Pets (SNIP)

Too many dogs and cats - not enough homes.  We've all seen the distressing images and sobering statistics and have wondered:  "What is the solution - and how can I help?"  Spay Neuter Idaho Pets, Inc. (SNIP), an Idaho-based 501 c3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to reducing the overpopulation of cats and dogs in Idaho through low cost spay and neuter services, education, and encouraging animal rescue groups to work together towards our common goals.

SNIP was founded on the belief that spay/neuter is a more humane solution than euthanasia to address pet overpopulation and unnecessary animal suffering and homelessness. From this belief grew the idea to financially help pet owners and feral caregivers do the responsible thing and spay/neuter their pets. To that end SNIP instituted programs aimed at providing affordable spay and neuter services to residents in Boise and the surrounding areas. We work with local veterinarians to provide some of the lowest spay/neuter prices in the Treasure Valley for cats and dogs. We also provide assistance toward the cost of the surgeries for income-qualified individuals. 

In April of this year, Stacie, an Emergency Medical Services worker, was called to a home of an elderly man in Wilder, Idaho.  When she arrived, she found this man deceased in his chair.  It was later determined that he had passed away three days prior.   Not only did she discover the deceased man, but also 40 hungry feral and tame cats and 17 kittens.  The Coroner and Fire Department were called to tend to the gentleman, but what would become of the 57 now-homeless cats and kittens?   Stacie, her friend, Gina, and four other compassionate animals rescuers jumped into action.  These women purchased cat food and drove 50-60 miles each day to make sure these cats and kittens had food, water, and shelter.  They continued to find additional kittens and knew they needed to do something to prevent the birth of more.  That's when they contacted SNIP.  Through our feral cat spay and neuter program, SNIP spayed and neutered all of the cats and kittens at no cost to the caregivers.  Once this was done, these tireless women domesticated the kittens and found them loving homes.  They also found safe, loving, and reliable homes for the feral and tame adult cats.  The team continues to monitor the area and helps any stray cats who show up.  As Gina says:  “SNIP helped us spay/neuter over 40 cats and 20 kittens who were part of the Wilder Feral Colony.  If it weren't for SNIP, managing this colony would have quickly become impossible.”

 Since SNIP’s inception in August 2008, we have helped over 7,000 families fix 15,457 dogs and cats through our low-cost and subsidized spay and neuter programs preventing the birth of over 105,000 puppies and kittens according to Spay USA calculations.  This year, SNIP spayed or neutered several dogs through these programs who would have otherwise lost their families and homes.  Here are a few examples:

•  In Caldwell, Idaho, dog license fees are $12 if the animal is altered and $48 if the dog is not.  Animal Control checks door-to-door for dog licenses and enforces these fees.  Many families could not afford the additional $36, and called on SNIP for help to spay/neuter their dogs and keep their families together.

• Several homeless people were given the opportunity for shelter, but their intact dogs had to be spayed or neutered in order to join their owners. SNIP fixed the dogs and the once-homeless are now in safe, warm shelters with their four-legged best friends.

• Disabled veterans waiting for their disability checks needed help from SNIP to get their dogs spayed or neutered so they could move in with friends and also to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Your support means so much and makes a difference. You have our sincere thanks for what you do today to help us continue our work of reducing pet overpopulation. 

            SPAY/NEUTER is the first step to NO KILL!