The best way to prevent the overpopulation of dogs and cats is to spay or neuter the animals, and the Leavenworth Animal Welfare Society is willing to help.

LAWS will pay $20 per dog and $15 per cat for spaying or neutering. Rules stipulate that owners and pets must live in Leavenworth County and that the owner must call LAWS before making the appointment with a veterinarian. The money will be paid directly to the veterinarian, and the owner is responsible for the remainder. LAWS will only assist with a maximum of four animals per household.

Dolores Vought is a volunteer who manages the spaying and neutering program for LAWS.

“The number of animals we’ve done has been increasing every year,” Vought said. “Last year we did around 260 animals during the spring session which runs through February and March.”

Kyle LaRosh, veterinarian in Tonganoxie, said he has spayed and neutered animals through the LAWS program.

“They’ve been very good in working with people to help get their animals neutered,” LaRosh said.

Spaying and neutering increases the enjoyment of the pet for the family, LaRosh said.

“It reduces the problems that come with seasonal breeding time and, of course, reduces the number of unwanted pets in our population,” he added.

Unwanted pets are a problem in Leavenworth County, LaRosh said.

“There’s a lot of them that we see that are foundlings or animals that have been neglected and dumped in the rural areas,” LaRosh said. “Sometimes you’ll even have a whole litter of puppies or kittens dumped out onto the road.”

LaRosh said the cost of spaying or neutering dogs is usually less than $100, and for cats, it’s less than $60, depending on the gender and the health of the animal.

Vought said that LAWS funds come from donations, bake sales, a thrift shop and memorials. About 125 members belong to LAWS and volunteers do all work.

For families with very low incomes, LAWS tries to provide extra financial assistance for spaying and neutering.

Last year, LAWS spend $9,000 on all of its spaying and neutering programs.

“We do about 350 to 500 animals every year,” Vought said.

For more information, contact LAWS at (913) 651-4780.