Free Spay & Neuter Services For Dallas Dogs

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Free spay and neuter services are being offered for dog owners in certain parts of Dallas. The program is called 'Big Fix For Big D' and it officially launched on Tuesday morning. Residents in eight ZIP codes (listed below) in the south, west and far east parts of the city are invited to participate and get their dogs fixed for free.

• 75211
• 75212
• 75216
• 75217
• 75224
• 75227
• 75228
• 75241

Those eight areas have been identified as being the ones in the highest need of these sterilization procedures. Dog owners can get the surgeries done at the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center, located at 1818 North Westmoreland Road; the SPCA of Texas; and at Spay Neuter Network locations. Participants will need to provide a proof of residency at the time of surgery. And, in addition to spay and neuter services, qualifying owners will also be offered free vaccinations and registration for their pets.

This is actually the second year of a three-year initiative. In the first round of surgeries, about 7,500 dogs were spayed or neutered across 18 areas of Dallas, when owners had to pay $20 for the procedure. This year, according to Maura Davies with the SPCA of Texas, the program hopes to see over 12,000 animals come through its doors.

Spaying and neutering pets is an important step in combating overpopulation in the streets and at local animal shelters. "The goal is to significantly reduce the intake and euthanasia at Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center," said Davies. Officials hope to cut intake by 30 percent before the initiative is through. "Make sure that we're out there telling people, helping people do the right thing, helping people be the hero for their pet and all the pets in their neighborhood."

This $5 million program is a joint effort being paid for by several charities such as the Dallas Foundation, the Summerlee Foundation, the Meadows Foundation, the Rees-Jones Foundation and PetSmart Charities. Visit the program's website for additional information, and to see what services are being offered for feral and free-roaming cats as well.

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