High pet turnout for free spay, neuter operations at Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley

People lined up as early as 4:30 a.m. Monday morning in front of The Animal Center of Mesilla Valley. The reason – free spaying and neutering operations.

The center performed 42 surgeries on large-breed dogs, and with such large turnout, at least 30 families had to be turned away.

“The key to the euthanasia here at the Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley is the intake and part of the puzzle to stopping the tremendous, crushing flood of intake of dogs is spaying and neutering large breed dogs,” Dr. Beth Vesco-Mock said, who is the current executive director of the center. Dr. Beth recently turned in her resignation as executive director.

A package for spaying and neutering at the shelter usually costs around $65, but the price could be as high as $400 for your pet if you go to a private veterinarian.

The costs for the free surgeries were paid for by the Borman Ford Autoplex of Las Cruces Dealership.