ROBINSON’S RESCUE: Robinson’s Rescue, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Shreveport has reached an important milestone this week as it’s celebrating its 14th year in providing affordable spay and neutering services for dogs and cats. Robinson’s Rescue CEO and Medical Director, Dr. Andrea Master Everson shares more details.
“We’re very proud that we have done over 80,000 spay and neuter surgeries in northwest in Louisiana. So we are so excited that as our surgery numbers have increased, the animals entering our shelters have decreased,” Everson said.
Since it was founded in September 2008, the mission of Robinson’s Rescue has been to prevent pet overpopulation by providing high-quality, affordable spay/neuter surgery which Dr. Everson says has reduced the number of strays on the streets AND the number of animals euthanized at the shelters.
“When we first started doing this in 2008 there were about 10,000 animals a year euthanized in our local shelters and that was about in high 80% euthanasia rate,” Everson explained. “We’re now way lower below 50% in most shelters and we’re just so excited to share that.”
Also worth noting is that despite inflation, the costs for spay and neutering services have not risen in price in the 14 years Robinson’s Rescue has been in operation. And there’s even financial assistance for lower-income families called SSNIP.
“It our ‘Subsidized Spay/Neuter Incentive Program’ so it is for individuals who make less than $1800 a month. They can apply, do our application online and the amazing thing is that we’re able to provide the spay and neuter surgery and a rabies vaccine for free,” Everson said.
The SSNIPS program is funded by the Caddo Parish Commission, The Bossier Police Jury, and also from grants from the Community Foundation of North Louisiana as well from other donations.
When it first opened, Robinson’s Rescue was the first clinic of its kind in Louisiana and one of only 180 ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance clinics in the United States. Other groups have copied their model and there are now lower-cost spay/neuter clinics in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.
As part of their 14th anniversary celebration, the clinic plans to make a special announcement this Thursday. Robinson’s Clinic is located in Shreveport’s Highland Neighborhood at 2515 Line Avenue. To learn more about the clinic the website is www.robinsonsrescue.org/ or search Facebook for Robinson’s Rescue.
