By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Humane Society has seen positive response to its spay/neuter voucher program.

Board President Katherine Reece said the animal shelter saw a decrease in puppies and kittens being brought to the facility this spring as a result of the program.

Recent concerns about being able to continue the program, which costs about $2,000 a month, brought Reece and Vice President Kristi Hyche to the Clanton City Council on Sept. 25 asking for funding.

The city donated $3,000 to get the program started two years ago.

“Since that time, we have sold over 3,400 certificates to have 3,400 animals spay or neutered,” Hyche said. “Sixty percent of those are coming out of Clanton.”

Reece said the Humane society has been funding the program, but are now unable to do so without additional funding.

The Clanton City Council unanimously approved giving $3,000 to the program.

“Thank you all very much,” Reece said.

The certificate allows the pet owner to have the procedure done at a discounted rate.

The Chilton County Humane Society partners with the Alabama Spay and Neuter Clinic, which matches funds the animal shelter puts in to the program.

Reece said the voucher program “is the most popular thing we do.”

The more people that participate in the program the fewer unwanted puppies and kittens that will be brought to the shelter.

Council member Bobby Cook asked about the organization’s financial statement for the last fiscal year. Hyche said the organization was in the middle of an audit.