Humane Society of Guilford County

While the voucher program was successful, it could not generate enough volume to make a significant impact on the thousands of animals euthanized each year in the county. In 2001, after two years of planning, the Humane Society followed the lead of other organizations across the United States that had successfully reduced or eliminated their communities' pet overpopulation problems. The group bought a mobile veterinary van and contracted for veterinary services with the Piedmont Communities Spay Neuter and Wellness Clinic to deliver high-volume, reduced-cost spay / neuter operations. The Humane Society's strategy is to attack the pet overpopulation problem on a regional basis working with animal shelters, rescue groups and county agencies in Guilford County and across the Piedmont.

Once the low-cost spay/neuter program was under way, it quickly became clear that a large number of cats and dogs were not receiving basic veterinary care. More than 85 percent of the animals seen through the program lacked rabies and/or distemper vaccinations.

In November 2001 the Humane Society contracted for expanded services from the clinic, including low-cost vaccinations, testing, microchipping and other services for healthy animals. The wellness program serves fixed and low-income pet owners.

In 2003, the group changed its name to Humane Society of the Piedmont to reflect the regional scope of its major endeavor, the reduced spay/neuter and wellness programs.

In the future, the Humane Society will continue to expand the spay/neuter program, ultimately to reach 10,000 animals a year. It is in the process of expanding its humane education program and other efforts to prevent cruelty and provide better lives for the Piedmont's cats and dogs and their owners.

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