Young-Williams Animal Center recently was awarded a $17,610 grant from BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) for spay and neuter procedures. The grant will go toward the shelter’s Spay/Neuter Solutions program, which works to address overcrowding in shelters and rescues by preventing unwanted litters of cats and dogs in Knoxville.

“Due to COVID-19, veterinary clinics across the country have put critical spay/neuter surgeries on hold for months, leaving thousands of shelter pets unaltered,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Knowing this, BISSELL Pet Foundation is awarding more spay/neuter grant funding than ever to support shelters’ needs and ensure the health and safety of pets.”

BPF’s spring grant cycle will award funding to 86 organizations in 28 states totaling $487,418 for spay/neuter.

Young-Williams Animal Center offers low-cost spay and neuter services, as well as a mobile Spay Shuttle surgical clinic to increase access to low-cost surgeries. Pet owners should schedule an appointment with Spay/Neuter Solutions for both on-site and mobile Spay Shuttle services. Schedule an appointment online at http://www.young-williams.org//spay-neuter-solutions/schedule-an-appointment/ or call 865-215-6677.

“BISSELL Pet Foundation’s grant and donations from our community enable the shelter to perform more low-cost and convenient spay/neuter surgeries in the community and help prevent the birth of unwanted animals – up to 30,000 homeless pets in Knoxville every year,” says Janet Testerman, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “The mission of Young-Williams Animal Center is to end pet homelessness. A proven way to reach that goal is to stop unwanted litters through spaying and neutering.”

With a mission to find every pet a home, BPF focuses their efforts on adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping and emergency support.