By Hannah Benjamin

Sun Staff Writer

NORWICH – For this 5th time in 2017, not-for-profit All Animals Matter of Oxford has reached out to Compassionate Care Veterinary to hold another spay/neuter-a-thon in an effort to reduce the pet population in Chenango and surrounding counties.

Stevi and Matt Culverwell of Compassionate Care Veterinary in Norwich have offered reduced cost spay and neuters, which includes an initial exam, the spay/neuter, a rabies vaccine, post-pain meds, flea control and a nail trim. So far, hundreds of dogs and cats have been altered with the continued support of the Frances J. & Elizabeth Brisson Macksey Charitable Trust Fund and the Dorothy M. & Fred Hamilton Foundation.

The need for these spay/neuter-a-thons was determined after the Innovative Readiness Training was held by the U.S. Military in Chenango County for two summers in a row. In addition to providing medical, dental, and construction help, the IRT provided veterinary care and altered hundreds of pets with no residency requirements and at no cost to the client, but there was a huge waiting list.