Grant To Help Spay Pets

Grant To Help Spay Pets
Ahimsa Haven gets $2,500 from state

‘I think this grant boosts the core of our mission statement and increases the amount of animals they we can help.’ — Marjorie Twiraga Sargent, Ahimsa president

Rebecca Leonard
News Correspondent

TEMPLETON  Spaying and neutering stray cats and dogs just became a little easier for Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue on Baldwinville Road.

Ahimsa received a grant from the Massachusetts “I’m Animal Friendly” License Plate Program worth $2,500. The funds will go directly to the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs that come through the shelter.

“We need this grant. This takes financial pressure off of us and enables us to make sure that every animal that comes through here gets spayed and neutered while allowing us to focus on animals with more pressing medical issues,” said Marjorie Twiraga Sargent, president of Ahimsa Haven and a volunteer since 2005.

Ms. Sargent explained that the grant pays for about 50 percent of the costs for spaying the animals that come through the shelter.

According to Ms. Sargent, it costs the shelter up to $140 for a cat to be completely vetted for adoption – this includes the spaying/neutering, shots, deworming and a microchip.

The grant takes some of the cost away. The request for the grant is written up every year by Ms. Sargent and she said that it takes a lot of prep work to get it done. Included in the process is figuring out how many animals at the shelter the grant helps each year and the shelter’s budget from the previous year.

The grant program is organized through the Massachusetts Animal Coalition and it began over 10 years ago.

Anne Lindsay, founder and president of the coalition, explained that when reviewing the applications from each shelter they look for organizations that are recognized as nonprofits by the IRS and are registered by the Department of Agriculture.

“We take into consideration the fact that some organizations have fewer resources than others and there may be a part of the state in serious need,” stated Ms. Lindsay.

They also encourage collaboration with other agencies in the area and applications that show “creative ways that organizations propose to work together to reach a common goal of spaying and neutering animals.”

Since the program was created it has helped spay or neuter over 15,000 animals.

The license plate program gives the funds for the grant. The initial cost of the plate is $40 – $28 of that is used to fund the program and it’s tax-deductible. The remaining $12 covers the manufacturing of the plate and is a one-time cost. When it’s time to renew your registration, the entire $40 goes into the spay/neuter fund.

“I think this grant boosts the core of our mission statement and increases the amount of animals they we can help,” expressed Ms. Sargent.
In addition the grant, Ahimsa Haven has received a donation of a new mobile trailer to put on its property to expand the amount of useful space.

The 500-square-foot trailer, donated by Harris Restoration in Baldwinville, will be used to keep the populations of cats who are ready for adoption and those that are awaiting vetting separate.

“It limits the amount of frustration from adopters. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a kitty and finding out they won’t be ready for adoption for another several weeks,” explained Ms. Sargent.

The trailer was recently renovated and is in great shape. According to Ms. Sargent is has a great layout for their needs.

The shelter has completed all necessary permits and is awaiting the go-ahead by the building inspector and Fire Department.

“We don’t think it will be long at all until we can use it,” said Ms. Sargent.

For more information about the I’m Animal Friendly license plates you can visit the website at massanimalcoalition.com.

Ahimsa Haven is located behind the Highway Department and is open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.