News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Putnam County Spay and Neuter Clinic trying to reopen its doors with a new matching gift project.
President Elizabeth Sofia said Dr. Steve Copeland has offered to speed up the reopening process. The long-time veterinarian offered to match up to $100,000 in donations for the clinic.
“It puts us in a position to be able to go ahead and open as soon as all the red tape is done with the transfer of assets and the premise permit,” Sofia said. “Then moving forward, depending on how much is matched and how much is raised in the community we’ll be able to subsidize some of the costs and do these surgeries at a low cost.”
Sofia said because it is the only low-cost spay and neuter clinic in the area, there is a critical need to restart services. Sofia estimated about 110 weekly surgeries did not happen due to the closure.
The clinic received an outpouring of support after it closed in January, citing issues with funding and employees. Crossville-based non-profit Wags and Whiskers agreed to take over operations of the facility just a few weeks later.
“It is incredibly heartwarming to see all of the support to see the least,” Sofia said. “My involvement with the clinic was as a customer. I help foster animals in the area and so I brought many here to Dr. Gates to be spayed and neutered so I know the quality of care that they give the animals and I know how important they are, but I was not incredibly involved in the operation. But when I heard about this, I was terrified of what would happen with the animal rescue in this area if the clinic closed. So that’s how I got involved, and to see how much the rest of the community stepped up has just been incredible.”
Sofia said not performing the surgeries has created more struggle for already crowded animal shelters. She said the new opportunity provided by Copeland and the greater community will help prevent overcrowding and subsequently decrease the number of euthanizations of animals in shelters.
If you have an interest in donating to the cause, Sofia said there are several options. Donations can be made directly at First National Bank, mailed to 370 S. Lowe Ave. Suite A #231, Cookeville, TN 38501, or via PayPal at Major-Mikes.com. Please make all checks out to Wags & Whiskers.
