SNiP is a subsidized spay/neuter program offered by the Fernie Pets Society. It provides low cost spay & neuter procedures for qualified cat owners. SNiP also provides free spay & neuter for feral cats and homeless cats that are being fostered while awaiting adoption.
The SNiP program is currently available to residents of Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and rural Elk Valley communities
The Society issues spay/neuter vouchers which can be redeemed at any of the participating veterinary clinics. The voucher covers the cat’s pre-surgery exam and the spay/neuter procedure.
House Cats: The cost per voucher is $50. Expiration of voucher is 2 months after issue date. Maximum 2 vouchers issued per household.
Feral, Fostered or Homeless Cats: Vouchers are issued at no cost to successful applicants. Expiration of voucher is 2 months after issue date.
Application forms are available on our page
Vouchers will be issued and signed by the SNiP program administrator
The veterinarian will sign the voucher confirming the surgery was performed and return it to the Pets Society.
Upon return of the signed voucher, the veterinary clinic will be reimbursed for the cost of the procedure(s).
Lost, misplaced or stolen vouchers will not be replaced or reissued.
The Society reserves the right of approval for all applications as determined by need and available funding
Participating Veterinary Clinics
These clinics will accept SNiP vouchers
Cranbrook Veterinary Hospital, Cranbrook
Steeples Veterinary Clinic, Cranbrook
Tanglefoot Veterinary Services, Fernie and Cranbrook
Program Goals
Spaying and neutering cats to prevent unwanted pregnancies is the very foundation of effective animal control. Today fully 37 percent of Canadian households include one or more cats. On average, cat owning households had 1.9 cats
A recent report on Cats in Canada suggests that 20 percent of cats are not spayed or neutered. In addition, fewer than 1% of the animals that are surrendered to shelters (both by owners and by the public) are spayed or neutered. If this is a reflection of local spay neutering patterns then there are possibly hundreds of unaltered cats in the Elk Valley, many of which are free to roam.
In an effort to curb the number of homeless cats in the Elk Valley, this program will issue spay & neuter vouchers to qualifying individuals.
Funding & Support
This program is administered by volunteers and 100% of our funding goes towards spay & neutering. Financial and in-kind support is provided by:
The City of Fernie
The Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program
Barkside Pets Fernie
Public Donations
Donations can be mailed to SNIP, Box 1614, Fernie BC V0B 1M0, or dropped off at one of the SNiP donation boxes at the following locations:
Barkside Pets, 791 2nd Ave, Fernie
Heaven Boutique, 672C 2nd Ave, Fernie
The next time you’re recycling bottles at the Fernie Bottle Depot, why not donate your recycling money to the Fernie Pets Society SNiP account? Just mention the account name to the cashier. It’s an easy way to help spay/neuter cats in and around town.
For further information on SNiP contact [email protected]
