PEMBROKE — The Robeson County Veterinary Medical Association’s recent discount spay and neuter program is being called a success, with almost 300 cats and dogs being neutered.

“We had a tremendous turnout,” said Dr. David Brooks, a veterinarian at Pembroke Veterinary Hospital. “I know in my office, more than 90 percent of the spay or neuter procedures we did was through the SNIP program and 10 percent were from the voucher program.”

Five county animal hospitals participated in Spaying and Neutering Improves Pets, or SNIP, during which 286 procedures were performed. The program ran from March 7 to Sunday and offered discounted spay and neutering services to Robeson County residents who otherwise would struggle to pay for the procedure.

In addition to Pembroke Veterinary Hospital, Baird’s Animal Hospital in Lumberton, Southeastern Veterinary Hospital in Lumberton, South Robeson Veterinary Hospital in Fairmont and North Star Veterinary Hospital in Parkton offered the discount.

The SNIP program, which is offered twice a year, has sterilized 3,370 dogs and cats in Robeson County since its inception in 2010, including 281 during the March 2015 initiative.

Typical spay and neuter procedures, which include anesthesia and the surgery, can cost as much as $150 depending on the size and breed of the animal.

The SNIP program offered the following prices for its spay and neuter program: female cats, $75; male cats, $60; female dogs less than 40 pounds, $85; female dogs more than 40 pounds, $100; male dogs less than 40 pounds, $80; and male dogs more than 40 pounds, $95.

Brooks said the goal is to prevent the birth of animals that would likely be abandoned; many of them end up being euthanized at the county shelter. Dogs typically give birth to between six and 10 puppies with each litter, and cats can birth two to five kittens each litter.

“We’re not out for the money, we’re out to help the critters and the people,” he said. “Some people think that we’re out to make a profit, but we genuinely care a lot about animals, particularly the ones that are in a situation that they can’t do anything about.”

The next SNIP discount program will be held in September. For information on the program, call Pembroke Veterinary Hospital at 910-720-0162.

By Gabrielle Isaac

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Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.