MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has awarded the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine a grant to support the college’s Mobile Veterinary Clinics.

The $40,000 grant will cover some of the expenses incurred as the Mobile Veterinary Clinics travel to 20 North Mississippi animal shelters, where students spay and neuter homeless animals. The program is funded solely by grants and donations.

“We’ve received generous donations allowing us to purchase two mobile units, but that is only part of the fundraising equation,” said Jimmy Kight, director of development for the veterinary college. “This ASPCA grant helps cover the operational expenses it takes to keep the units on the road.”

Kight said many donors choose to support the program because it gives students surgical experience and helps make shelter animals more adoptable.

Dr. Phil Bushby, retired Marcia Lane Endowed Chair in Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare, has inspired MSU students to help raise money to keep the program moving forward.

“Many of the animal shelters we work with have as high as a 70 percent euthanasia rate, but more than an 80 percent adoption rate for animals that are spayed or neutered,” said Bushby, also a professor emeritus. “The grant from the ASPCA is helping students, sheltered animals, and the communities.”

The program benefits reach beyond the shelters and into the communities.

“The goal is to provide veterinary students with surgical experience, help get the animals adopted, and educate pet owners about the importance of taking those animals to their community veterinarians to ensure good health for as long as possible,” Bushby said.

Contact: Karen Templeton, 662-325-1100