Part of the pet over-population problems can be placed at the foot of the veterinary profession. Spay/neuter prices should be a minimal mark-up item. For some people current costs are prohibitively high, or at least high enough to make many owners decide not to get the surgery done. If veterinarians are really interested in helping out with pet over-population, really reasonable rates should be offered. I am aware that failing to spay/neuter animals is very short-sighted and that there are considerable costs, both to society and to owners themselves, involved with breeding unwanted animals. However, blaming owners will do NOTHING to solve the problem.

The British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association's (BCVMA) 2005 fee guide suggests a fee of $102.90 for neutering male cats and $156.70 for females for uncomplicated cases.

Dogs prices are dependent on the size of the animal and they range from $$161.50 for a small male dog to $183.50 for a large male dog. Female prices are also dependent on the size of the dog, ranging from $187.20 for a small dog, to $258.80 for a large dog.

A little unspayed male cat landed on our doorstep last week, so we did check prices for cats in this area. Fortunately they are slightly less than those in the fee guide. $75 was the cheapest price. We did call a veterinarian on the mainland and it would be cheaper for us to take the little boy over- $35 for the neuter and vaccines were way cheaper too. One owes an enormous thank you to the wonderful veterinarians on the mainland who are offering clients good service at reasonable rates.

One also thanks the SPCAs who are 100% spay/neutering animals before they go to new owners. Craig Daniell said that the current plan is to spay/neuter 100% of animals leaving SPCA facilities by 2008. This, along with SPCA clinics like the one at Prince George, will really help relieve animal suffering.

Jean Martin