By Lee Merrill
eptember marks the 15th anniversary of Robinson’s Rescue, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. The organization was founded in Shreveport to address startling animal shelter statistics. In 2008, more than 10,000 animals entered local shelters, with 85 percent being euthanized. To date, Robinson’s Rescue has performed over 87,000 spay/neuter surgeries, which contributed to a dramatic drop in shelter intake numbers. Currently, shelters are taking in 4,000-5.000 animals annually with a euthanasia rate of 30-40 percent. “That’s a big difference. We are one piece of the puzzle,” said CEO and Medical Director Dr. Andrea Master Everson. “We work closely with rescues to get animals adopted and transported.”
Robinson’s Rescue offers three programs in order to provide affordable services to everyone. Their low-cost spay and neuter clinic is available to all pet owners, regardless of income. The clinic also offers services to the feral cat population for an even deeper discount. Feral cat traps can be rented by concerned citizens for a nominal fee. After the surgeries are complete, the cats’ ears are tipped before they are released to serve as proof they have been altered.
The second program is the Subsidized Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SSNIP). This program provides free spay/neuter surgery and rabies vaccinations to pets owned by residents of Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Sabine, and Webster parishes who fit low-income parameters. Lastly, Robinson’s Rescue operates a Community Outreach Program where they attend community events to educate residents about the importance of spay/neuter surgery and to provide applications.
“Our goal is to decrease the overpopulation issue by spaying and neutering as many dogs and cats as possible,” Everson said. “One thing that is really amazing is we have not had to increase our prices in 15 years. Our faithful donors and annual fundraisers help keep the costs low. A short-term goal for the rescue is to add another veterinarian to the staff, so we can do even more surgeries. Currently, the clinic does around 45 surgeries a day, Monday through Thursday.”
Robinson’s Rescue depends on volunteers to keep the organization thriving. Community outreach volunteers man information tables at local festivals and fairs and help with staffing special fundraising events. In-clinic volunteers help the medical team by cleaning kennels, washing towels/blankets, preparing beds and food for the recovering animals, sterilizing instruments, making surgery packs, and restocking medical supplies. They also perform clerical duties and communicate with clients.
Donations are greatly appreciated. They have an ongoing need for items such as liquid laundry detergent, one-inch masking tape, AA batteries, antibacterial dish and hand soap, bleach, pet carriers, dish towels, fleece blankets, dog treats, dry dog and cat food, canned cat food, garden/insecticide sprayers, gallon-size multi-surface cleaners, paper towels and trash bags. “We couldn’t do all we do without our amazing volunteers and donors,” Everson said.
If you are interested in having your pet spayed or neutered, know that Robinson’s Rescue books appointments online, three weeks at a time, on Mondays at 10 a.m. Appointments fill quickly because the rescue keeps slots available for shelter animals. If you have not had your pet spayed or neutered, now is the time. Keep an eye out for Robinson’s Rescue’s 2024 calendar featuring pet photos by local photographer Kathryn Gaiennie.