A strong effort is underway at the state level to eliminate funding for the Help Fix ME spay-neuter program, which is critical and life-saving for Maine’s pet population.

This simple, reliable and fair program costs each pet-owning Maine household an average of 36 cents per year. It allows pet owners (including Help Fix ME voucher recipients) to be part of the solution. It saves lives.

Help Fix ME has helped make Maine a leader in the country.

Coastal Humane Society’s new executive director, Joe Montisano, recently told the Press Herald what keeps Maine shelters from getting overcrowded and having to euthanize animals:

“Maine citizens (are) responsible pet owners,” he said. “They get their pets spayed and neutered and when you buy pet food, there’s a tax that goes to a spay and neuter program that helps people who can’t afford it to get their pets spayed and neutered. We have like a 98 percent live release rate (at the shelter) and that’s certainly not very common.”

But the pet food industry has been pressuring members of the Agriculture Committee to eliminate the surcharge and instead take money from the General Fund for Help Fix ME. Gov. LePage is also adamant that the surcharge be taken away from us.

As a volunteer at a local shelter, both in the shelter and the spay-neuter clinic, I can attest to the importance of Help Fix ME. Daily, clients thank us for what we do for their pets, and what it means to be able to afford this critical surgery.

Legislators should listen to the voices of the many who don’t want to eliminate the surcharge that supports this program. We are only as good as the silent voices we take care of.

If you agree, please contact Agriculture Committee Clerk Cassie Nixon at cassie.nixon@legislature.maine.gov or Appropriations Committee Clerk Marianne MacMaster at marianne.macmaster@legislature.maine.gov.

Paula Nadeau

East Waterboro

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