SOLEDAD — The SNIP bus will be returning to Soledad on Sept. 15 and 16 to spay and neuter pets at a low cost. The SNIP bus has already visited South County in August and plans to make the service monthly.
President Melanie Scherer began the spay and neuter program, aka SNIP bus, two years ago in Coachella Valley. Through the SNIP bus program, Scherer and her team have spayed and neutered more than 6,800 animals.
The first clinic for the SNIP bus took place this August at the South County YMCA in Soledad and saw 43 animals over two days that had a waiting list.
“We absolutely need that YMCA, if we want to come down here,” Scherer said. “I want to help your community and the animal community and this will make a tremendous difference.”
According to Scherer, about 60 percent of the animals spayed and neutered were from Soledad, with a few from Gonzales and King City. Scherer said King City was a little too far for her to go and bring her veterinary down.
“I see the tremendous issues that we have with overpopulation of domestic animals in South County and I know that this will make a difference,” said Soledad Councilmember Carla Stewart, who is also president of South County Animal Rescue.
The next SNIP bus clinic will be this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16, at the South County YMCA, 560 Walker Drive, in Soledad.