Several recent grants will help the Brookhaven Animal RescueLeague with spay/neuter programs to keep unwanted pets from beingborn, said Tom Ross, an organization volunteer.

During a work day Saturday at the BARL facility next to theHartley-Gove Sons thermometer plant, Ross discussed the grants thattotaled more than $33,000. Most of the funds are designated to helppeople take advantage of spay-neuter programs through the rescueleague.

“We’ve been very fortunate so far,” Ross said.

Ross said an anonymous donor gave $10,000 to the organization tohelp offset the costs of spaying or neutering. The average cost tospay or neuter an animal is about $80.

“It’s a low-cost spay-neuter program,” Ross said. “(The petowner) pays whatever they can, and the grant picks up therest.”

BARL has also received a $6,000 grant from PETsMART. Thatprogram is administered by area veterinarians, with the grantpaying $40 of spay-neuter costs, Ross said.

“The cost of that is based on the weight of the animal,” Rosssaid.

The Jackson Friends of the City Animal Shelter recently gaveBARL a $3,500 grant to help expand spay-neuter activities.

The grant funds came from the purchase of “I Care for Animals”car tags. Citizens may purchase the special tags for $35, withproceeds distributed to help animal rescue leagues and humanesocieties around the state.

Ross said BARL actively seeks grants and was appreciative toreceive the funding assistance.

“We apply for every grant that’s out there,” Ross said. “We getlucky sometimes and get a few.”

Ross said the cost of spaying or neutering is included whenpeople adopt a pet from BARL, which operates a no-kill shelter. Hesaid community spay-neuter programs helps control unwanted petpopulations.

“It keeps unwanted pets from being born so we don’t have to dealwith them,” Ross said.

The United Way of Lincoln County has given BARL $8,000 to assistwith organization activities. Of that money, $5,000 is to help withoperational expenses and $3,000 is to go toward BARL’s new animalfacility near the thermometer plant.

“We’ll build it little by little,” Ross said about the newfacility.

Ross indicated the other funds were much needed.

“We have huge vet bills, and it’s very hard to keep up withthose,” Ross said.

Additional information about BARL’s spay-neuter programs isavailable by calling 757-4367 or by visiting the organization’s website at www.BARL.net.