Spay Today Closes After Nearly Two Decades: A Major Loss for Animal Welfare

Spay Today, a nonprofit spay/neuter clinic that served the region for nearly two decades, has closed its surgical facility after failing to secure a veterinarian partner. The clinic, which operated for 18 years and sterilized nearly 78,000 animals, shut down on Friday, according to Gayle Bailey, a member of the board of directors.

A Legacy of Service

Since its opening in 2006, Spay Today provided low-cost, high-volume sterilizations. The clinic had a team of five full-time staff members and one part-time technician. Veterinary surgeon Krystel Riggione, the only vet on staff, ended her tenure on May 30 after serving for over two years. The clinic performed an average of 25 spay/neuter surgeries per day.

Challenges and Impact

Despite its success, Spay Today faced persistent challenges in retaining veterinary staff. “We can’t pay staff to be there with no veterinarian,” Bailey explained. The inability to secure veterinarians led to the clinic's closure, impacting animal rescue groups in several counties, including Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, and Carteret.

Spay Today's largest client, Pitt County Animal Services, brought up to 1,000 animals a year for sterilization since a 2010 ordinance required all animals adopted from the shelter to be spayed or neutered. The clinic’s closure will also affect the county’s Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program for feral cats, which altered up to 300 cats annually.

Efforts to Mitigate Impact

Pitt County Animal Services Director Chad Singleton assured that there would be no disruption in veterinary welfare checks and other services. However, he acknowledged the increased costs and logistical challenges of transporting animals to other veterinary practices for surgeries. Local veterinarians have agreed to provide spay/neuter surgeries at discounted rates to help mitigate the impact.

The Broader Issue

The closure of Spay Today highlights the broader issue of a veterinary shortage. According to a study by Mars Veterinary Health, nearly 2,000 veterinarians retire each year, while about 3,200 new veterinarians graduate annually. With the increasing number of pet owners, a shortage of nearly 15,000 veterinarians is expected over the next decade.

Future Plans

While the future of Spay Today remains uncertain, Bailey mentioned the possibility of establishing a voucher program to assist low-income pet owners and support the sterilization of feral cats. “We hope to come together as a group and come up with a new mission for Spay Today,” she said.

Spay Today's board had already canceled a planned fundraiser in April and refunded ticket purchases, as they felt it was inappropriate to take money without being able to fulfill their mission of providing low-cost spay/neuter services.

The closure of Spay Today marks a significant loss for animal welfare in the region. The clinic's impact over the past 18 years has been profound, and the need for affordable spay/neuter services remains critical. The board and community supporters hope to find new ways to continue supporting animal welfare initiatives in the future.