Even though Northwest Alabama Spay and Neuter Assistance is committed to spay and neuter awareness year-round, February receives special attention as Spay and Neuter Awareness Month.

NASANA helps residents in Franklin County, as well as Lauderdale and Colbert counties, who receive either Medicaid or food stamps to get their pet fixed for $25.

For the month of February, NASANA is setting up tables three Saturdays to hold a special promotion. At these events, the first 10 people to sign up to have their pet spayed or neutered will be able to get their animal fixed and have their rabies shot for $10. Anyone who is not in the first 10 is still able to have their $25 copay include the rabies shot.

“Spay and neuter is the only thing that is going to cut down on this severe overpopulation of animals at shelters or animals being dropped off,” said NASANA President Pat Maguire.

NASANA will be at Tractor Supply in Russellville Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for signups and to give out information. To take advantage of the February special, residents must bring their proof of Medicaid or food stamps and pay their copay when they turn in the application.

Only cats and dogs are eligible for spay and neuter help from the NASANA.

Once NASANA receives someone’s application, copay and proof of Medicaid or food stamps, NASANA will contact one of the vets it works with and make an appointment based on what would work best with the veterinarian’s schedule.

NASANA works with six veterinarians in Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale counties; the partner in Franklin County is Russellville Animal Clinic.

Maguire said she knows shelters do everything they can to try and save as many animals as possible, but spaying and neutering animals is the only solution.

“You can’t rescue the problem away,” Maguire said. “If you don’t stop it at the source that it comes form, you’re never going to get anywhere because it’s a revolving door. I just feel like spay/neuter is the only answer.”

Right now, NASANA offers assistance for four pets per household per year, but that currently does not include rabies shot outside of the February promotion.

NASANA will be at Tractor Supply in Russellville Feb. 8, Pet Depot in Lauderdale County Feb. 15 and Pet Depot in Colbert County Feb. 22. All of these times will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.