Neuter Commuter Delivers Spay/Neuter Services and Mobile Adoptions

    The Neuter Commuter will begin operating in early 2004 - You can help


    Thanks to the generous grant from the Lawson Family Fund, Animal Ark has acquired a new state-of-the-art, mobile surgical van to be used to provide low or no-cost services to homeless pets in Minnesota. The new Neuter Commuter is a 33-foot long surgical suite that can also double as a mobile adoption center

    Animal Ark uses the Neuter Commuter to provide free spay/neuter services for feral cats and other homeless pets throughout Minnesota.

    "The feral cat problem appears to be getting worse every year," said Mike Fry, Executive Director for Animal Ark. "Warmer winters and longer summers in recent years has meant that more litters of kittens are being born to stray and wild mothers. It also means that more of them are surviving to breed themselves."

    This problem is made worse because some people mistakenly believe that farm cats have a good life, and so many cats are abandoned at farms. This practice places an unfair burden on the farmers, who are left to deal with a growing problem, and who often do not have the resources to sterilize large numbers of cats.

    Operating at maximum capacity and staffed with three veterinarians and six technicians, the Neuter Commuter is be able to sterilize more than 100 animals in a day.

    "The services Animal Ark will provide with the Neuter Commuter are of vital importance to the animals in our community,"said Fry. "We would love to begin operating the van immediately. However, there are still a lot of things that need to be done. We have additional equipment and supplies to purchase, staff to hire and train, and all of these things take money that we do not yet have."

    When the Neuter Commuter is not busy neutering homeless pets, it is used by Minnesota's Homes For All Pets partners to host mobile adoption events at malls, pet stores, corporate campuses and public gatherings of all kinds.

    If you are interested in helping, you can make a donation to Animal Ark to help fund the Neuter Commuter. For more information, contact Mary Salter at (612) 849-9681.

    Have something to say about this article? Share Your Comments with our readers. Or, leave a message on the Animal Wise Radio Comment Line by calling toll-free (888) 668-0687.

    Comments from readers:
    On 09/18/2009 Brenda said: I agree

    I agree with Daniel I to heve been searching for help to have my pup fixed.
    So far I have not been successful and cannot afford the prices these places charge either.

    On 09/07/2009 Daniel S. said: spaying and neutering

    I just wanted to say the state of Minnesota,in my opinion, does not care anything about pets. I have tried finding someone for over 2 years to help me get my dog spayed and nothing. I have tried to get vets to take payment arrangements, but not if you have not been with them a while. I am originally from North Carolina and there they have these clinics that you pay 35.00 to have a pet fixed. They need more opportunities here for the people who cannot afford almost 200.00 for this procedure.

    On 10/15/2008 Tamarie said: YOU ARE AWESOME!!

    Dr. Charlie, Mary, Melvin, Dorothy and Mallory - You are an awesome team that came waaaay up here near the Canadian border just to help us and our beloved pets out. Words are just not enough to express just how much each and every one of you are and how much you are appreciated. You brought a service to those who otherwise could not get the surgeries and shots needed for their pets. 67 spays and neuters and countless vaccinations - not to mention the future litters saved!

    Sending your way a HUGE MIIGWETCH (THANK YOU)from all of us here in Grand Portage!!!!

    Love, Tamarie

    On 04/17/2008 Jessica said: You guys are the best!

    I just want to let everyone know how appreciative we are for your help with our barn cat problem up here in Princeton. You were the answer to our prayers, as well as to the several other families who transported their animals to our location as well. I hope folks know the work you do is phenominal. To spay/neuter 33 cats in a single day is just amazing. The whole setup and process was way cool and all the volunteers and especially the Neuter commuter vet and staff are genuinely unique and amazing people. It is truely an experience that I will never fortget and will let anyone I can know about your services to help get you any possible donations to continue your amazing work and maybe even find others who would benefit from the neuter commuter services!
    If only more veterinarians would offer these types of services more people could get their animals fixed. In a world where making a buck and charging outragous fees to spay an neuter animal is top priority for most clinics your generosity and hard work is priceless! Honestly words cannot express our gratitude towards all the folks who participated in the event at our home. Thank you!

    On 08/01/2007 Angel of Hope said: Our Prayers Have Been Answered!

    For 13 years we have struggled with abandoned, abused, injured and unwanted cats and kittens. In the northern part of MN we have no funding or support to care for and spay/neuter these animals. The Neuter Commuter came recently and answered our prayers. They altered all of the cats/kittens that needed it. God bless the Lawson family for their generous donation and the staff of Animal Ark.

    Angel of Hope Cat & Kitten Rescue

    On 01/24/2007 Mike Fry said: Recovery Perdiod Follow-Up

    Hi Tracy,

    Great question about the recovery period. Following their surgeries, the cats are moved into recovery cages and are monitored till they can be released. They are provided with food and water until they can be released.

    No stitches need to be removed, using the technique our surgeons use. There are, in fact, no external stitches. This technique also significantly reduces the chances of infections post-surgery.

    On 01/24/2007 Tracy said: Recovery Period

    I love the program you have created and pray for the donations needed to keep the commuter alive. I'm just wondering what happens once the animal has been sterilized, how does the remaining care or needs of the animal get met? Removing stitches etc?

    Thanks so much for your caring and time you have donated to aiding the feral pet population.

    On 08/16/2006 Mike Fry said: Great Idea -- But Not Legal in MN

    Hi Lisa,

    Great suggestion about providing low-cost spay/neuter service to low income families. Too bad we are prohibited from doing that according to MN state law.

    In Minnesota, any veterinary facility providing services for owned animals needs to be owned and controled by a veterinarian. In other states, anyone can own a veterinary practice, so long as the veterinary work is performed by a veterinarian. Not so in MN.

    Therefore, we partner with veterinarians to provide FREE spay/neuter serives for many animals. Check out out Twin Cities Pet Fix program.

    On 08/15/2006 Lisa McDermott said: Neuter Commuter

    What a great idea, but even better, maybe Neuter Commuter should visit low income neighborhoods where people get pets but cannot afford the neutering. Maybe do it at a low cost to them! My neighborhood would be one that would greatly benefit from that!