We’re excited to highlight the amazing work being done by our recent grant recipient, the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. They’ve launched their Spay and Neuter Cruiser, a mobile veterinary clinic that’s already making a big impact by offering essential services like spaying, neutering, flea treatments, deworming, and microchipping to cats in need. And thanks to support from the BC Pet Registry, their mission to provide affordable pet care is off to a fantastic start!
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A Busy Start: Helping Cats and Owners in the Community
The Spay and Neuter Cruiser began by focusing on rescue organizations and community cats to get their clinic up and running smoothly. This gave the team time to work out the logistics and fine-tune their processes. Now, they’ve opened their doors to owned cats, and the response from the community has been overwhelming!
Just last week, they reached an incredible milestone by completing 17 surgeries in a single day. This was a huge achievement for the team, and it’s clear that they’re already making a difference. Many owners have shared how they’ve struggled for years to afford getting their cats fixed, and now, thanks to this service, they’re finally able to get the care they need.
The clinic doesn’t stop at spaying and neutering either. They’re also offering flea and dewormer treatments, which are essential for keeping cats healthy, especially those who may have gone without regular vet care.
Affordable Microchips: Peace of Mind for Pet Owners
One of the standout services offered by the Spay and Neuter Cruiser is affordable microchipping, made possible through their partnership with the SPCA. Microchipping is such a simple thing, but it brings incredible peace of mind. If a pet gets lost, a microchip makes it so much easier for shelters or vets to find the owner and get the pet back home quickly.
The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee knows how important this is, saying, “Losing a pet is a very scary and difficult time, and it’s such a nice peace of mind to know that your furry friend can find their way back to you with something as simple as a microchip.”
For more details on how microchipping works, check out BC Pet Registry’s How It Works page.
Expanding Their Reach
Right now, the Spay and Neuter Cruiser is operating out of a clinic space at 405 David Street, Victoria, but the team has big plans. Eventually, they hope to go fully mobile, bringing their services right into neighborhoods that need them. To do that, they’re looking for community partners who can help. They’ll need a level parking space, access to power, and the ability to coordinate bulk surgery bookings to keep things running smoothly.
In the meantime, individual surgeries are being booked and performed at their David Street clinic, and appointments can be made on their website: www.spayandneutercruiser.ca.
Making a Difference for Cats and Communities
The work being done by the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee is making a real impact. In tough economic times, many pet owners face financial barriers when it comes to essential vet care, and that’s where the Spay and Neuter Cruiser is stepping in. By offering affordable services like spaying, neutering, and microchipping, they’re not just helping individual pet owners—they’re contributing to the overall health and safety of the cat population in the community.
The Spay and Neuter Cruiser has already helped many cats find their way back home through microchipping. Take Norman’s story. Norman went missing during a stormy week in Kelowna, but thanks to his registered microchip, his family was able to find him and bring him home safely, despite the chaos of the storm. Microchips make these kinds of reunions possible. You can read more about Norman’s heartwarming story here.
How You Can Help
Want to get involved and support this wonderful initiative? Whether you’re a pet owner looking for affordable services or someone in the community who can help the Spay and Neuter Cruiser become fully mobile, there are plenty of ways to who your support:
- Book an appointment: If your cat needs spaying, neutering, flea treatments, or microchipping, visit the Spay and Neuter Cruiser website.
- Partner with them: If your community could benefit from mobile services, consider partnering with the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee to host their clinic.
- Spread the word: Tell your friends and neighbors about this affordable pet care option to ensure more cats and families get the help they need.
- Donate through their website or buy something from their store: https://ibkc.ca/
Be a Part of the 80% Responsible Owners
During our recent events, we scanned hundreds of pets, all with microchips implanted. Only to discover that approximately 20% of the pets’ microchips are not linked to any registries in North America. We recommend all pet owners to double check their pet’s registration and directly registering with us. All you need is the microchip number and/or tattoo code to start the online registration process. For a small, one-time fee of $45, your pet will be protected for a lifetime and you will also have contributed to the life-saving work of the BC SPCA.
Conclusion
At BC Pet Registry, we’re proud to support organizations like the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, who are working hard to make essential pet care more accessible for everyone. With the Spay and Neuter Cruiser, they’re ensuring that more cats are spayed, neutered, and microchipped, helping to reduce the number of lost pets and contributing to the well-being of cats in the community.
If you haven’t already, consider registering your pet’s microchip with BC Pet Registry. It’s one of the simplest ways to make sure your pet can always find their way home, no matter what.
FAQ
Q: What is a pet microchip, and how does it work?
A pet microchip is a small electronic device implanted under your pet’s skin. It contains a unique ID number that can be scanned by shelters and veterinarians to link your pet back to your contact information. Check out How It Works to learn more.
Q: Does microchipping hurt my pet?
Microchipping is quick and only causes a brief pinch, similar to getting a vaccination. The chip is placed just under the skin between your pet’s shoulders.
Q: Do I need to update my pet’s microchip information?
Yes! If you move or change your phone number, make sure to log into your BC Pet Registry account and update your contact info.
Q: Can a microchip help if my pet is stolen?
A microchip increases the chances of being reunited with your pet if they’re taken to a shelter or vet, but it doesn’t act as legal proof of ownership. You may still need adoption records or purchase receipts in legal disputes.
Q: Does the microchip store my pet’s health records?
No, the microchip only holds an ID number that links to your contact information. You’ll need to keep health records separately with your vet.
Q: What if my pet loses their collar?
That’s the beauty of microchips! They’re implanted under the skin, so even if your pet loses their collar, they’ll still have a permanent ID.
