Animal Birth Control
Everyone’s heard Bob Barker’s famous words, “Have your pets spayed or neutered to help control the pet population.” This well-known saying encourages pet owners to take the steps needed to lengthen the lifespan of animals. Now it can be done at a reasonable price here in the valley. Animal Birth Control offers quality care and affordable prices on spays, neuters and vaccines.
Animal Birth Control, located at 502 28 1/2 Rd., opened its doors on Sept. 9. Dr. Mark Chamberlin bought the clinic from Planned Pethood Plus, a once-a-month low cost spay and neuter service from a traveling doctor, who made visits to the valley one weekend a month, to do low cost spays and neuters.
Chamberlin, a CSU graduate, has been performing these surgeries for years. It’s something he thoroughly enjoys, and is passionate about.
“As the economy worsens and the middle class shrinks, modern technology and veterinary technology continues to improve,” Chamberlin said. “Many Americans are finding it difficult to afford advanced, or even minimal care for their animals. It is more important than ever to obtain basic preventative care for your animals, and it is my goal to provide it at this time. It’s extremely important to get your cat spayed because they are all going into heat in the next month or so, and it’s more difficult and there will be the usual yearly profusion of unwanted kittens.”
The prices are affordable, starting at $28 for a male cat neuter, and $45 for a female cat spay. Male dogs under 40 pounds are $60 for a neuter, and $70 if they are between 41 and 70 pounds. Female dogs under 40 pounds start at $70 for a spay, and $80 for those between 41 and 70 pounds. Dogs weighing over 70 pounds, both male and female, are only $1 extra per pound. The clinic also offers vaccines at $15 a vaccine, and can prescribe heartworm medication, run heartworm and feline leukemia tests, and microchip.
Appointments are required for services, however ABC opened its doors to hundreds of people two weekends ago for a walk-in vaccine clinic with no appointments necessary. The turnout was better than expected. People lined up around the building with dogs and cats before ABC even opened. The vaccine clinic was a success, and may be something that Chamberlin will continue to do in the future, but as for now, he prefers to stick with his morning vaccine appointments and daily surgeries.
“I enjoy my work and I enjoy helping other people to do the right thing,” Chamberlin said. “I truly believe that what we do can make a difference in Mesa County.”
ABC has partnered up with Mesa County Animal Services, who provide vouchers to owners, which help cover a portion of the surgery. This money has either been donated, or given to MCAS in the form of a government grant.
To help raise money and awareness, ABC and MCAS are holding a bowling tournament at Freeway Bowl on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. The cost is $20 for all participants, which covers shoe rental, and three games. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners, and a silent auction will be held afterwards. If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact ABC office manager, Natalie Orton at 970-200-9229.

nstimack@mesastate.edu