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By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith | Community Columnist

Chilton County TNR, a non-profit organization, will host an Adoption and Microchip Day at Tractor Supply, 1001 Woodfin Lane, Clanton, on Sept. 16 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Chilton TNR, which stands for Trap, Neuter/spay, Release, continuously traps feral cats and kittens, neuters them and returns them to their previous location to help control the pet population.

“When someone dumps an animal out on a road because they don’t know where to take it, those animals breed with the animals nearby and it creates a larger problem for the community,” said Chilton TNR owner and operator Becky Medcalf. “Most veterinarians will tell you to neuter cats after they are six months old, but many cats are sexually mature at four months old.”

The Adoption and Microchip Day offered on Sept. 16 will be an educational day for the community and will also have numerous cats, kittens, dogs and puppies that are available for adoption. People may also microchip their pet, which will help identify them if they become lost. Cost for microchipping is $13 and includes a lifelong activation. Cost for cat adoption is $85, and dog adoption is $185-$385, depending on the dog’s age and if they need heartworm testing. The adoption fee includes the animal to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, given flea and deworm medicine and microchipped.

Chilton TNR additionally offers low-cost spay and neuter for cats/kittens in the community, which is $25 and includes their rabies vaccination, but the program is overwhelmed and there is currently a waiting list through November.

“Chilton County desperately needs a municipal low cost spay and neuter program,” said Medcalf. “Chilton TNR helps with spaying and neutering, but we need a county-wide, low-cost program where people can take feral animals so we don’t get an explosion of animals every year.”

From an early age, Medcalf had a love for animals, specifically those that were lost and hurt. She began Chilton County TNR in 2022 after seeing the overwhelming pet population in Chilton County continue to rise.

“Spaying and neutering animals is so important,” said Medcalf. “Your pet is more likely to stay at home, so they are safer and won’t get hit in the road. It changes their demeanor and they are more likely to become affectionate and trusting afterward.”

For more information, contact Chilton County TNR via Facebook or text Becky Medcalf at 209-969-0306.