Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is helping spread the word about an upcoming transportation opportunity for Chattooga County pet owners seeking affordable spay and neuter services through My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Services.

Transportation will be available Monday, August 24, from Rome to Dalton and back, allowing pet owners to avoid making the drive to Dalton. Animals will be dropped off and picked up at Elder’s Ace Hardware Shopping Center, 610 Shorter Avenue NW in Rome, next to Red Lobster.

Morning drop-off is scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 7:15 a.m., while pickup times will vary. Pet owners will receive a text message when transportation is on its way back to Rome.

As of Thursday, appointments were still available for:

• 12 cat neuters
• 10 cat spays
• 3 dog neuters

A $40 deposit per pet is required when scheduling and will be applied toward the cost of the surgery. The deposit is not the total cost of the procedure.

Appointments must be scheduled directly through My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Services by calling 706-671-1104 and selecting Option 4. According to Animal Advocates of Chattooga County, its volunteers cannot schedule appointments.

The financial assistance program is available to Chattooga County residents and requires proof of residency, proof of a current rabies vaccination, and owners are responsible for any additional veterinary services that may be needed. Assistance is limited to 10 pets per household.