Animal Advocates of Chattooga County has announced a new partnership with My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic to help local pet owners offset the cost of spay and neuter procedures for their dogs and cats.

Under the program, financial assistance is available for Chattooga County residents while funding remains available. Surgeries will be performed at My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic in Dalton.

Pet owners must contact My Kids Have Paws directly to schedule an appointment. Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is not able to schedule appointments for the program. Residents are also asked to notify the clinic if their pet is pregnant when making an appointment.

A $40 deposit per pet is required at the time of scheduling. Organizers say $20 of that deposit will be refunded when the owner arrives for the scheduled appointment. The assistance program helps cover a portion of the spay or neuter procedure and rabies vaccination.

Owners will be responsible for any additional veterinary services their pets may require. The program is limited to 10 pets per household and is available only while funding lasts.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic at 706-671-1104, option 4.

Animal Advocates of Chattooga County encourages pet owners to take advantage of the opportunity to help reduce pet overpopulation and improve the health and well-being of their animals.