A local nonprofit working to make sure all Idahoans can spay and neuter their pets, even if they can't afford it, will be able to continue it's work and help more people.
Spay Neuter Idaho Pets, more commonly known as SNIP, now has a permanent clinic.
The new location - at 1785 West Cherry Lane in Meridian - opened this past week and Sunday was the grand opening.
Until now SNIP didn't have it's own clinic and worked out of veterinary offices through out the valley. The organization said it was grateful for those partnerships, but now that they have their own clinic SNIP can help more people spay and neuter their pets.
The clinic said they will be capable of spaying or neutering more than 8,000 cats and dogs each year which will prevent the birth of over 56,0000 puppies and kittens in one year.
SNIP is low cost and open to everybody. And for people who can't afford the already lower cost there are events to help them. One of those starts Monday. From Feb. 19 through March 6 income qualified people can have a cat fixed for a $5 contribution each and a dog for a minimum $10 contribution each.
"51 Percent of the people we help we end up paying the majority of the bill for they just can't afford it," said Diane Ayres, executive director of SNIP.
Since its founding in August of 2008, SNIP has helped spay and neuter more than 18,000 animals in the state.
Appointments for spaying and neutering are available. The clinic is open Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm.