McMinnville has received a state grant to launch a new spay and neuter assistance program aimed to help residents afford the services for their pets.
McMinnville Public Works Director, Lyndon Bussell said the program will offer vouchers that will total up to $1,100. Bussell said the city launched the program as a way to give back to the community.
“We thought we could do something really good for the people here and for the community,” Bussell said. “We actually have done it for the entirety of Warren County and not just McMinnville. So, we are hopefully a quite larger audience and are expecting to get a lot of applications in for this.”
Bussell said the goal is to pay for at least 15 animals to be spayed or neutered this year. Bussell said the city is looking to help those who could not afford this service otherwise.
“Those may be low-income, elderly that can’t really get out, but they want to have a pet, but they need to get their animals spayed or neutered,” Bussell said. “This is an opportunity for us to say, you know, here is a voucher. If you want, we can come get the dog for you, and we can take it to the vet here, and they will perform the procedure, and you can come pick the dog up, or we can bring the dog to you.”
The program is called the Linda McGee Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. Bussell said McGee was a city employee who suddenly passed away.
“She absolutely loved animals,” Bussell said. “So, we thought it would be a great way to commemorate her by naming the program after her.”
Bussell said the city has already received a lot of applications requesting assistance. Bussell said the city is hopeful the program is a success and can grow in the future.
People can apply for the program online at the city’s website or apply in person at McMinnville City Hall or the Public Works Department. The application period ends January 28.