Spay and neuter vouchers for cats soon available in Windsor

By Ennis Liu

Pet owners who can’t afford to pay for spaying or neutering their cats can soon apply for a subsidized voucher from the City of Windsor, and they can thank the people who take care of wild cats for the program.

“Basically, it was in regard to animal control. There was a large number of feral cats that were being brought into the Humane Society that could not be adopted,” said corporate policy and procedure coordinator Katherine Donaldson.

“We were trying to lessen the population to control the number of cats being euthanized,” said Donaldson.

There are 260 vouchers that will be issued, valued $75 each and be available starting at 1:00 pm on March 7. The only constraints for vouchers is that they are for cat owners from low-income families. A declaration of income will be required. A maximum of two vouchers per household will be issued where the cats are owned.

For people who care for stray cats, they can get two vouchers as well but without income restrictions.

The Town of Essex has its own program as well, and it’s targetting residents who are at least 18 years of age and have been a resident of the town for at least one year.

Coupons will expire in 90 days and issued on a first-come, first-served basis. They are available at Essex Town Hall and the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre.

In Windsor, interested residents must call 311 to inquire, after 11 a.m. on March 7.

“If the vouchers not used in 90 days, then we reissue them to people on the waitlist. We will take calls until they are gone,” said Donaldson.

For more details, visit the City’s website.