The following story originally appeared as a “Progress 2016” story in North Country This Week.

In 2016, Spay-Neuter-Now (SNN) based in Hammond is starting its 22nd year of providing affordable spaying and neutering services for North Country cats and dogs.

SNN programs include humane education and a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter mobile clinic in the Neuter Commuter traveling over St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

In addition, Spay-Neuter-Now has a partner spay/neuter program with Town & Country Veterinary Clinic in Ogdensburg, Potsdam and Massena.

In 2015, SNN programs resulted in spaying and neutering over 1,000 cats and 300 dogs in the North Country for income-qualified households, military households and for caretakers of stray, feral, barn and colony cats. By the end of 2015 SNN has a lifetime total of 16,789 spays and neuters.

SNN’s goals for 2016 include a focus on expanding awareness and availability of spay/neuter services, and an effort in select communities to create an even larger impact in the towns of Gouverneur, Hammond, Lisbon, Lowville, Massena and the cities of Ogdensburg and Watertown.

All animals spayed and neutered through SNN programs receive vaccinations for rabies and distemper. By including this service, SNN has provided over 4,100 rabies vaccinations in the mobile clinic program from 2011-2015, with only 9 percent of cats and 55 percent of dogs being up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.

SNN would like to stress the importance of keeping all of your pets’ vaccinations up-to-date for public health and safety.

People looking for spay/neuter assistance or those looking to help the animals and people in their community can contact Spay-Neuter-Now at 315-489-0541, 315-486-0094 or visiting www.spayneuternow.org.

SNN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and its programs depend on fundraisers, grants and the continued dedication of its supporters, volunteers, donors and staff.

Tax-deductible donations to SNN programs can be made to Spay-Neuter-Now, 47 Duck Cove Road, Hammond, NY 13646.