SPCA hoping mobile unit helps Valley avoid animal 'disaster'

An Anchorage woman who helped found the Alaska Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said she sees a big problem coming for the Valley when it comes to animals.

In the mid 1960s, Ethel Christiansen started the SPCA in Anchorage because the city was killing 1,100 animals a month. Now, that number is down to around 250, thanks to awareness and the SPCA's offering of low-cost spaying and neutering. As the Valley grows, Christiansen said, a similar problem could arise.

"Even if you don't care for your pets, you care for your tax dollars, and it's a lot cheaper to prevent than to kill," Christiansen said. "I see a disaster starting to happen as the Valley gets bigger and bigger."

The SPCA mobile spay and neuter clinic is based on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Winding Brook Loop Road. In the winter, the clinic spays and neuters animals from that location. In the summer, the mobile unit travels to the Kenai Peninsula regularly, where veterinarians perform the same surgeries.

"We may have to give up the mobile unit if we can't come up with some extra money to make a go of it," Christiansen said.

That's why the SPCA is offering discount dog/cat food there, as well as pet supplies.

"We're also doing vaccinations and microchipping. We have to keep our costs down if we can continue to do it," Christiansen said.

Joan Westall, chair of the Animal Control and Regulations Board, said the SPCA is performing an important service.

"We're not set up to spay and neuter animals before they leave the shelter. A lot of rescue groups are doing it, but not every animal that leaves is spayed and neuter, and it will only become a bigger issue," Westall said. "We are absolutely looking at some type of partnership with the mobile spay and neuter clinic, but I just don't know how yet."

People interested in having their pets spayed or neutered can make an appointment by calling 745-5082 or the Anchorage office at (907) 562-2999.