Sheriff’s office spay, neuter program to help control animal population outside city limits

The El Paso Sherif’s Office recently launched a new free spay and neuter program to help control animal population outside the city limits.

From September to December of last year, EPSO officials said 266 animals have been spayed or neutered.

“We’re very proud of this program,” said EPSO Commander Robert Flores.

The program is meant to serve residents who live outside the city limits.

The sheriff’s office has contracted with Horizon City, Vinton, Socorro, Anthony, Clint, San Elizario, and other unincorporated areas within El Paso County to pay for the spay and neuter services from a local company.

EPSO monitors the use of the program to ensure that others are not abusing it.

“We want to make sure that the people who paid for the program get their pets taken care of first,” Flores said.

Officials are on-hand to check that residents live outside the city limits. A valid identification, driver license or utility bill are required on-site before any pet is spayed or neutered.

Flores said in 2015, the sheriff’s department started to restructure its animal control program and add more resources.

EPSO will host another opportunity for residents to get their pets spayed or neutered on Tuesday, January 23 at Dr. Applegate Park, located at 7966 Quejette Rd. in Vinton.

The session begins at 7 a.m., but residents are encourage to arrive early because space is limited. For now, only about 20 pets are allowed.

The February schedule is expected to be released soon, according to a statement from EPSO.