Two zip codes in Kansas City, 64130 and 64132, have the highest number of unaltered pit bulls and pit bull mixes.
Now the city has a new grant it hopes will encourage owners to alter as many as 60 percent of the dogs in those areas.
PetSmart Charities awarded the city a $100,000 grant to provide free pet licensing, vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries for owners of unaltered pit bulls and pit bull mixes who reside those two zip codes. The city hopes these free services will encourage pit bull owners to license their pets, which will reduce the number of stray and abandoned animals and may prevent possible nuisances or public safety threats.
“The cost to spay/neuter, vaccinate and license a pit bull or pit bull mix may be prohibitive for low-income families residing in the target ZIP codes,” said Patrick Egberuare, manager of the Animal Health and Public Safety Division. “By providing these services for free, we hope to alter about 60 percent – or 850 – of the pit bulls and pit bull mixes in these ZIP codes.”
Animal Health and Public Safety employees also hope the grant will improve relations between animal control officers and residents in these areas, as the officers will provide outreach regarding these free services to residents in the coming weeks.
The city requires that all pet dogs, cats and ferrets must be licensed. In addition, all pit bulls and pit bull mixes must be altered.
Details
To participate in the program, residents living in the 64130 and 64132 ZIP codes must visit a participating veterinarian, which include the following:
- Spay & Neuter Kansas City, 1116 E. 59th St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-353-0940 or visit www.snkc.net.
- Raytown Animal Hospital, 10401 E. 63rd St., Raytown, Mo. 816-353-3666 or email htrdvm@yahoo.com.
- Northland Animal Welfare Society, 3400 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Mo. 816-336-1888 or visit www.pcnaws.org.
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