Bay County Spay and Neuter Clinic Moves Forward - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Bay County animal lovers are breathing a sigh of relief following the Commission's decision to approve a low cost spay neuter clinic. The clinic is the result of a yearlong process to help solve the county's animal overpopulation problem.

It was a four-to-one decision to move forward with this clinic. The board compromised on a one year lease of county building over the suggested ten, but for those who just want to see it running, that's good enough for them.

Bay County Animal Control Manager, Bill Olasin, admits the project to solve the county's animal overpopulation problem has been tedious at times.

"I think what happened was we came out with an excellent product," said Olasin.

In addition to the new clinic's ability to potentially lower euthanasia rates at animal control, Olasin is hoping it opens the doors for better animal treatment.

"I think more importantly, is hopefully this will mean that there are fewer strays, fewer animals that are just dumped off on the side of the road, and go through horrible, horrible suffering," said Olasin.

Animals like Maggie, a mutt who was recently rescued off the rural tram road near Tyndall Parkway. It's believed she was pregnant when she was dumped. Rescuer, Lori Brown, sees cases like Maggie almost daily.

"Hopefully If they had access to a spay and neuter clinic that would have never happened. She's a good girl," said Brown.

And for Terry Cotter, the treasurer of Operation Spay Bay, which is the brainchild behind this clinic, they are thrilled to have the county provide a structure for use at 6^th and Mulberry, even if it's just a year lease for now.

"We're real excited, I mean, it allows us to keep our costs very, very low because we don't have to pay rent or a mortgage anywhere. It also shows the community how much everybody is working together on this and that's what we want," said Cotter.

Now begins the process for "Operation Spay Bay" to secure grants, hire staff, and, of course, renovate the building. But Tuesday, they said they were simply going to "paws" and celebrate.