Photo: Bandaged Paws Facebook page.

By Shane Clausing

Community

Betty White Challenge donations to help Bandaged Paws launch new Spay & Neuter Assistance Program

Jan 19, 2022 | 1:17 PM

Bandaged Paws new Spay & Neuter Assistance Program could have a major impact on the pet population in the Grande Prairie area.

The organizations decided to start getting the ball rolling on this new program after the non-profit animal rescue shelter announced late Tuesday night that it had received over $23,495.21 and counting in donations from local residents, in support of the ‘Betty White Challenge’.

The Betty White Challenge was meant to honour the famous actress after she passed away on December 31, 2021. She had a love for animals.

Natasha Arsenault with Bandaged Paws feels the new Spay & Neuter Assistance Program will be a major help for pet owners throughout the Grande Prairie area.

“A lot of the bigger communities such as Edmonton and Calgary do have Spay & Neuter Assistance Programs for their communities. It’s something we have been lacking in Grande Prairie. To be able to start one here to assist pet owners with spade and neutering is an amazing opportunity,” she explained.

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“It helps the pet owners with having access to these surgeries and in turn, it helps us reduce the number of unwanted litters being surrendered to our organization. So then we can focus our efforts on more of the homeless and abandoned animals that need our help. It’s a win-win all around.”

Arsenault adds she is happy they can start this program now, so they can help those who are struggling financially.

“COVID’s been hard on a lot of people financially, so to be able to start with this program in a time of ‘more need’ for pet owners is really special to us.”

She tells EverythingGP this program can help control the pet population in our region in a positive way.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we were able to help a couple hundred animals per year,” she said. “I do expect there to be a big impact. Cats can produce four litters minimum a year, so that’s going to be a great impact. Getting 100 cats spayed will make a big impact on our organization and pet owners.”

For now, Bandaged Paws is finalizing the details of the program. Arsenault adds a program like this has been in the works for a while, however, they are now just receiving the funding for it.

Bandaged Paws was not the only animal organization who received a mountain of donations from the Betty White Challenge. There was over $30,000 in donations made to the In the Woods animal shelter in Nampa.

Bandaged Paws says it is grateful for everyone who donated as part of the Betty White Challenge.