Bend Spay+Neuter Project to become part of HSCO
The Humane Society of Central Oregon and the Bend Spay+Neuter Project announced Thursday that the two organizations have come together to create efficiencies within Central Oregon’s animal welfare services.
Bend Spay+Neuter Project (BSNP) will become a program of HSCO, continuing to provide low-cost spay and neuter and basic wellness services for pets. Both organizations have similar missions, grounded in compassionate and humane care for animals.
“In a swiftly growing community, consolidating the organizations will enhance services for both people and pets,” the organizations said in a news release.
“The strong relationship between HSCO and BSNP goes back to when our organization was founded, and we have continued to work together on many projects that affect animal welfare in Central Oregon,” said Laura Fritz, interim executive director of Bend Spay+Neuter Project.
“This move makes good sense so we can provide easy access, under one organization, to a wide array of services that provide compassionate and humane care for animals,” said Sabrina Slusser, executive director of the Humane Society of Central Oregon.
Low-cost animal care services, including spay and neuter surgeries, vaccines and wellness exams, will continue at the current Bend Spay+Neuter Project clinic on Wilson Avenue in Bend. HSCO said it plans to continue other programs, such as specialty clinics in outlying communities, and is exploring ways to merge the two organizations’ pet food banks.
Fritz shared the “exciting news” with Bend SNIP supporters in a separate email, saying the organization will become a program of HSCO in early November.
“You may know that we’ve had a year of exceptional transition, and our board has been working hard to find a solution that will provide stability and sustainability,” Fritz wrote. “This merger allows us to continue fulfilling our mission of providing low cost veterinary care and spay and neuter services to our community at our current location.
“This is the perfect partnership based on a very long-term relationship between our two organizations,” she continued. “With many of the same relationships with other animal welfare champions, organizations and advocates throughout the community, we already frequently work on projects together. This move will further stabilize and consolidate programs for animal welfare in Central Oregon.”
She encourage supporters to look at the FAQ page on their website (https://www.bendsnip.org/pages/humane-society-of-central-oregon-partnership) which further explains the partnership and answers questions about specific programs and services.
