Baldwin County, Ala. — (OBA) —  Baldwin County pet owners now have access to a discount voucher program to help cover the cost of spaying or neutering their animals. The Baldwin County Animal Shelter offers vouchers to residents across the county. The program has operated for nearly two years and continues to help thousands of animals. Shelter officials say the goal is to stop pet overpopulation at its source by making the surgeries more affordable.

The program works by having the Baldwin County Animal Shelter pay participating veterinary clinics directly—$100 for dogs and $50 for cats—to apply toward the cost of spay or neuter procedures. Pet owners are responsible for the remaining cost. Participating clinics include Bay Minette Animal Clinic, Central Baldwin Vet Hospital, Happy Acres Vet Clinic, Advanced Animal Care, and Robertsdale Animal Clinic.

Low-income residents may also qualify for services at The Surgery Center at Safe Harbor Animal Coalition, a private nonprofit spay-and-neuter clinic in Foley. The clinic provides low-cost services to rescue organizations, shelters, and low-income pet owners in Baldwin County. It is not open to the public outside those categories. Low-income eligibility is based on receiving government assistance such as Medicaid, WIC, EBT, or Social Security Disability, or on having a household income below the Baldwin County median.

For qualifying low-income pet owners, the procedure costs $20 for dogs and $10 for cats, including a rabies vaccination if needed. The Surgery Center at Safe Harbor is listed as a participating clinic for low-income households only. Pet owners interested in that option are encouraged to contact the clinic directly to ask about costs and requirements before scheduling.

Shelter officials say the program has also supported ongoing trap-neuter-return efforts for stray cat populations, work that might otherwise have gone unfunded. Each spay or neuter procedure prevents future litters, which shelter advocates say multiplies the program's impact many times over. A single unaltered female cat or dog can produce dozens of offspring in a short period, and those numbers can grow quickly without intervention.

Officials are urging Baldwin County residents to support the shelter's efforts to keep the voucher program running. Pet owners who want to apply for a voucher or learn more about the program can visit the Baldwin County Animal Services Voucher Portal online at safeharboranimalcoalition.org for Safe Harbor appointments, or use the Baldwin County government services portal at services.baldwincountyal.gov/BCASVPORTAL. Applicants are reminded to check their spam or junk folders after submitting a request for a response.