Overwhelmed by Demand, Connecticut Spay/Neuter ClinicsEmpower Veterinarians to Help Bridge the GapSTRATFORD, CT. (December 16, 2024) – Calls for spay/neuter appointments at Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic far exceed available slots, leaving pets waiting weeks for surgery. The delay isn’t just an inconvenience–pets waiting for these vital procedures face a higher risk of contributing to unintended litters. With access to affordable veterinary care at a crisis point in Connecticut, a solution is urgently needed. To address this growing need, Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic and POA Spay, in collaboration with United Spay Alliance, hosted their second high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) training session on November 22, 2024. This intensive program equips veterinarians with advanced surgical techniques, empowering them to expand access to affordable care and reduce pet overpopulation. Led by a team of experienced surgeons Dr. Emily Dae Andersen (Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic) and Drs. Michelle Forella and Sean Stockwell (POA Spay), four licensed veterinarians gained hands-on experience with live patients in a supportive, controlled setting. Dr. Kassandra Nielsen, a trainee, described the experience as “awesome,” adding that “instructors were great, tech/anesthesia were excellent! I appreciated having multiple instructors with multiple tips and tricks. I really can't say enough!” Over the course of the session, participants performed spay/neuter surgeries on 34 cats, earning 8.5 hours of Continuing Education credit and gaining valuable skills to help meet the demand for spay/neuter services. Meeting a Critical Need in Connecticut With the rising costs of veterinary care, access to affordable spay/neuter services is increasingly out of reach for many pet owners in Connecticut, where even low-cost procedures can exceed $100 for cats. Clinics like Nutmeg Spay/Neuter and POA Spay are on the front lines of addressing this challenge but are stretched thin by the overwhelming demand. “The demand for spay/neuter services is staggering, and low-cost clinics like ours are overwhelmed by the sheer number of people reaching out for appointments,” said Clara McCabe, Executive Director of Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic. “We hope that by offering this training, veterinarians will take what they’ve learned and help bridge the gap – whether by providing more spay/neuter services themselves or lending their skills to help clinics like ours increase capacity.” This event marked the eighth HQHVSN training session organized by United Spay Alliance in 2024, and the tenth since the program’s launch in April 2023. To date, these trainings have provided hands-on experience to 42 veterinarians – with dozens more on the waitlist for future sessions – reflecting the program’s significant and growing impact nationwide. United Spay Alliance is deeply grateful to The John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, for their generous support in making this event possible. Their commitment to animal welfare has played an essential role in providing veterinarians with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in these critical techniques. About POA Spay POA operates a no-kill animal shelter, low-cost high-volume spay/neuter clinic, and provides animal rescue services in Connecticut. Founded in 1975 in South Glastonbury by three women concerned about abandoned cats and dogs, POA has come to be one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the northeast, serving Central Connecticut and beyond. Since its inception, POA has rescued and placed over 21,600 cats and almost 8,000 dogs. POA serves approximately 1,000 animals annually through our shelter operations and provides over 60 spay/neuter and vaccination services weekly (3,000 annually) through our POA SPAY clinic. About Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic was founded in 2006 as FeralCare, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group offering monthly spay/neuter clinics. In 2012, the clinic established a permanent facility to perform spay/neuter surgeries and wellness care center for cats and dogs. Since then, Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic has performed over 55,000 spay/neuter surgeries, serving clients of all backgrounds and supporting rescue groups and feral colony caregivers. The clinic’s mission is to reduce the overpopulation of companion animals, with a special focus on underserved communities. About United Spay Alliance 
United Spay Alliance (USA) envisions a future where every cat and dog has a loving home. We work to make this a reality by championing affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services. Through proactive prevention, we aim to stop animal suffering before it begins. USA maintains a nationwide directory of low-cost spay/neuter services , fosters collaboration through the State Leader Network, and empowers veterinarians with programs like HQHVSN wet labs and Feline Fix by Five. In 2024, USA launched United We Spay, a monthly podcast sharing inspiring stories from the spay/neuter movement. Learn more at unitedspayalliance.org or follow @UnitedSpayAlliance on Facebook and Instagram. |
