February 9, 2025
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight an issue that affects animal shelters across the country, including right here in Aiken. Shelters are struggling with increasing intakes of homeless pets, while adoptions, fosters, and rescues are not keeping pace. This imbalance is pushing shelters to their limits, causing overcrowding and increasing the heartbreaking risk of euthanasia simply due to lack of space. But there is a simple, effective solution to this crisis: spay and neuter.
At the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, we’re running our “Spay it Forward” donation campaign to help tackle this issue head-on. By donating just $5 at our Animal Shelter, Veterinary Care Center, or Thrift Store, you can directly contribute to reducing the number of homeless pets in our community. Plus, we’ll write your name on a pinup heart and proudly display it on our wall—a symbol of your support and compassion.
But the impact of your donation doesn’t stop there. Every dollar goes toward our Hope Fund, which provides vital veterinary care to pet owners who might otherwise be unable to afford it. Together, we can ensure that both current shelter pets and beloved family companions get the care they need and deserve.
The connection between spay/neuter efforts and shelter overpopulation is undeniable. Every year, millions of cats and dogs enter shelters across the U.S. Many of these animals are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented through spaying and neutering. Without intervention, shelters become overwhelmed, resources are stretched thin, and more animals face uncertain futures.
Spaying and neutering pets not only prevents unwanted litters but also has health and behavioral benefits for the animals. Spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop certain cancers, roam in search of mates, or exhibit aggressive behaviors. Most importantly, it means that fewer animals are born into homelessness, giving those already in shelters a better chance of finding loving homes.
Unfortunately, for many families in our community, the cost of spay/neuter surgery or other crucial veterinary care—even at our low-cost Veterinary Care Center—can be a barrier. That’s where the Hope Fund comes in.
Every year, our Veterinary Care Center encounters heartbreaking situations where pets need medical attention, but their owners simply can’t afford the cost. Even with our affordable services, some families face the agonizing choice between providing essential care for their pets or meeting other critical needs like rent, utilities, or groceries.
We believe no pet should suffer due to financial hardship. That’s why we established the Hope Fund—to bridge the financial gap for loving pet owners and ensure that no animal is denied the care they need.
Your $5 donation to “Spay it Forward” goes directly into this fund, helping to cover the costs of spay/neuter surgeries and other necessary treatments. It’s not just about preventing future litters; it’s about giving pets in our community a chance at health, happiness, and a longer life.
Participating in our “Spay it Forward” campaign is simple, but the impact is profound.
Donate $5 at our Animal Shelter or Veterinary Care Center, both located at 199 Willow Run Road in Aiken, or Thrift Store at 1589 Whiskey Road in the Mitchell Shopping Center. We’ll write your name on a heart and display it on our wall as a symbol of your generosity.
Donate online if you can’t make it in person. A link to our donation form is available on our website, LetLoveLive.org and Facebook page.
When you donate to “Spay it Forward,” you’re not just helping one animal—you’re helping entire families and communities. You’re preventing the birth of unwanted litters, reducing the strain on shelters, and giving pets a chance to live healthy, happy lives in loving homes.
Most importantly, your support of the Hope Fund means that no pet will be left to suffer due to financial barriers. It’s about restoring hope to both animals and their owners, ensuring that every pet has a chance at health and happiness.
Spread the word! Share our campaign with friends, family, and fellow animal lovers. The more people who join us, the bigger the difference we can make. Help us cover the walls with Spay it Forward hearts!
Thank you for joining us in our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for pets in Aiken and beyond.
Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.
