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Young-Williams Animal Center completes 50,000th spay/neuter surgery

January 15, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 15,  2016

For more information:
Natalie Bailey
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 544-0088

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Today, Young-Williams Animal Center’s Spay/Neuter Solutions marked its 50,000th surgery since the program began in 2007. The milestone procedure was done at the shelter’s Village location at 6400 Kingston Pike on Bearden Hill.

Mickey, a 3-year-old male Boston terrier owned by Kari Bowman, was the altered pet who set the mark.

Mickey, a 3-year-old male Boston terrier, center, was the 50,000th pet to be altered by Young-Williams Animal Center Spay/Neuter Solutions. The surgery was done at the shelter's Village location at 6400 Kingston Pike on Bearden Hill.

Mickey, a 3-year-old male Boston terrier, center, was the 50,000th pet to be altered by Young-Williams Animal Center Spay/Neuter Solutions. The surgery was done at the shelter’s Village location at 6400 Kingston Pike on Bearden Hill.

“I know it’s important for his future health,” Bowman said. “Because I care about him and the pet overpopulation in the community, I chose to have him altered at Young-Williams Animal Center.”

Young-Williams Animal Center offers low-cost spay and neuter solutions at the Young-Williams Animal Village and on the mobile Spay Shuttle. Cats are $45, and dogs are $70. Additional cost reductions and subsidized services are available for community members who qualify to help ensure this vital service is available to all pet owners.

“Cost can be an important consideration for pet owners who are considering spaying or neutering their pet,” said Jeff Ashin, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “Our low-cost options help reduce that stress, and we hope that will encourage people to call for an appointment.”

Since Young-Williams Animal Center began actively targeting pet overpopulation through an expanded spay/neuter program in 2012, animal intake has decreased. Dr. Lisa Chassy, Young-Williams’ director of public spay/neuter programs, believes the effort to improve accessibility for the service drives down animal overpopulation in Knox and surrounding counties.

“Spaying or neutering your pet saves lives,” Chassy said. “It is the simplest and most humane solution to decrease the number of unwanted pets in the community. We believe our low-cost options are making a difference.”

Young-Williams encourages all community pet owners interested in the spay/neuter services to call 865-215-6677, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to learn more about surgery options available for their animals.

To learn more about Young-Williams Animal Center, visit www.young-williams.org or check out Young-Williams Animal Center on Facebook.

About Young-Williams Animal Center

Young-Williams Animal Center reminds the community to please spay and neuter your pets.

The Young-Williams Animal Center is the official animal shelter for Knox County and the City of Knoxville. The center is a nonprofit organization, community-supported through public and private donations, that turns no animal away and is dedicated to the sheltering and placement of animals, general animal welfare, and public education of companion animal issues.

Young-Williams Animal Center is located off Sutherland Avenue at the entrance to John Tarleton Park at 3201 Division St. Young-Williams Animal Village is located at 6400 Kingston Pike adjacent to Deane Hill Drive. Both locations are open seven days a week from noon-6 p.m.

For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, including detailed driving directions, call 865-215-6599 or visit www.young-williams.org.