In response to growing concerns over animal overpopulation, Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler is proposing a $10,000 contribution to support low-cost spay and neuter services for stray animals.
The proposal comes after the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association announced staffing shortages at its Fix Charleston Clinic, forcing it to scale back walk-in services and prioritize spay and neuter operations for foster and adopted animals already in its care.
Wheeler expressed concern over the impact this would have on community members who trap and bring in stray animals. “We have a lot of volunteers doing this work on their own,” Wheeler said during a Monday appearance on 580 Live. “Without affordable spay and neuter options, we risk worsening the overpopulation issue.”
To help fill the gap, Wheeler has reached out to the Fix’Em Clinic in Charleston, a nonprofit provider of low-cost animal care. The shelter will now refer walk-in cases to the Fix’Em Clinic, but Wheeler acknowledged this increased demand would bring additional costs.
He plans to propose the $10,000 allocation—sourced from the county’s dog tax fund—at this Thursday’s county commission meeting. “This is a loss for the clinic every single time,” he said. “But this partnership is essential for controlling the stray population.”
The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association is currently caring for nearly 500 animals, close to twice the number the shelter was built to handle.
