Spay, neuter clinic opening delayed again

McALLEN -- A staffing setback has further delayed the opening date for a spay-and -neuter clinic in the Rio Grande Valley.

Organizers must now wait for the clinic's sole veterinarian to leave her current job before the new facility can open in April, said Victoria Villanueva, founder and president of the RGV Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Hurricanes Ike and Dolly first delayed the planned clinic last year, which was originally set to open in 2008. The storms kept the project's architect busy completing renovations for other buildings for months and pushing back the animal clinic through early this year.

But now that the building is nearly complete, planners still need people to work there.

On Friday, Abby Dual was selected as the facility's veterinarian. She will work with two technicians and volunteer assistants.

The new 2,700-square-foot building - located at the intersection of North 23rd Street and Pecan Boulevard - is expected to feature one operating room capable of performing about 25 surgeries per day. Low-cost rates will be available to all visitors regardless of income, Villanueva said.

Construction costs for the clinic have been funded through grants and public donations, though Villanueva hopes the facility will run primarily off veterinarian fees once it is open.

The idea of creating the low-cost clinic began in 2007 when a group of members on the Palm Valley Animal Center board of directors grew worried about the amount of animals the center had to take in and euthanize.

The facility euthanizes about 82 percent of the 32,000 cats and dogs it receives each year, Villanueva said.

"There are an astounding number of owners that have unwanted pets because they don't spay or neuter," she said. "(Stray animals) affect the city and the general public."

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.