There are so many myths and excuses out there for not getting your cat spayed/neutered, and this misinformation has led to a rapid increase in homeless cats, creating cycles of suffering and death on the streets. This could be avoided if everyone would do their part and be responsible pet owners. If reducing suffering isn’t enough of a reason, there is also a long list of benefits to getting your furry friends fixed!

The main excuse I hear from folks not getting their cat fixed is cost. While it’s true that some veterinary clinics charge hundreds of dollars to get a cat fixed, there are local resources available that can provide spay/neuter for as low as $50! That’s even cheaper than most cat towers! If you can afford to feed them, you can afford to fix them!

I want to help folks discover local low-cost spay/neuter options, so I made this page as a resource for my friends and neighbors in Fayette County, Indiana.

TNR improves the lives of street cats as well as their human neighbors

Trap Neuter Return (TNR) is the best tool we have to combat overpopulation of stray and feral cats in our neighborhoods. Due to irresponsible pet ownership and abandonment, communities all across the globe are struggling to control stray and feral cat populations. Sadly, some have resorted to inhumane methods to reduce populations by mass euthanasia or relocation, which never fully solves the problem thanks to a phenomenon known as the vacuum effect. By neutering and returning community cats to their territories, population growth is slowed and the neutered cats remain in control of their territory so that unaltered cats don’t move in to take over and repeat the cycle.

How do you do it?

It’s easier than you might think! Check out this detailed “How To” from Alley Cat Allies, a trusted source for rescue and TNR. I explain how I conducted my first TNR project here if you would like to see what the entire process was like for me in complete detail.

Resources Local to Fayette County

We’re lucky to have some low-cost and feral-friendly options nearby! Public Vet is a traveling clinic that offers low-cost spay/neuter and other veterinary services for cats and has financial assistance available if you apply for it. With financial assistance, I have been able to get cats fixed for only $50 per cat. They come to Fayette County fairly regularly, just check out their website to see when they are coming next! You can go to any of their clinics even if you are not a resident of the town they are visiting. Animal Care Alliance in Richmond also provides low-cost veterinary care and has a financial assistance program as well. They are a bit more expensive than Public Vet, but not by too much. Both clinics are happy to work with you if you need help, so please don’t be afraid to reach out to them with questions!

If you lack the ability or can’t afford to conduct TNR yourself but would still like to help support local TNR efforts, MAKK’s Street Cat Rescue, inc. is a nonprofit in Connersville that is actively working to TNR community cats around town. There are ways to donate money and supplies posted to their Facebook page. It’s just a small organization led by a single amazing person, so her resources and capacity are limited, but she is doing everything she can to help street cats in our area get fixed and receive lifesaving veterinary care. She also rescues and rehabilitates friendly strays and has many available for adoption!

Local TNR/ Low-Cost Veterinary Care, and Rescue Organizations:

Not cat related, but there is a great project underway in Connersville aimed at helping dog owners access affordable spay/neuter as well! Check out the Carrie Can Project on GoFundMe!