For the Big Fix spay/neuter program, 2022 will be remembered as the year that the Lucas County program achieved a milestone– surpassing the 3,000 mark for licensed pets that have been spayed or neutered.
On November 23, Steve Serchuk of Perrysburg–who instituted the program with assistance from the Lucas and Wood County commissioners– released the annual report.
“Since its inception in Lucas County in 2016, 3,180 licensed dogs have been fixed, and in 2022, 347 dogs were spayed or neutered,” he said.
This year, there were a total of 41,523 licensed dogs. According to information filed on the dog license application or renewal form, 11,885 are still not fixed. “That is almost 29 percent of all licensed dogs.” Mr. Serchuk noted.
The purpose of the program is to reduce the number of homeless dogs that end up at the county shelter, reduce the number of stray dogs, decrease dog bites, encourage families to license their dogs and increase the well-being of dogs’ lives, he explained.
Through the Big Fix, county residents who license their dogs can have their pet fixed for $15. “But,” Mr. Serchuk emphasized, “it is available only to residents with licensed dogs.”
He noted the license fee in 2023 will be $25 and, he pointed out ,“the Big Fix program makes the county dog license one of the best values in dog licenses in Ohio.” There is one change coming next year in Lucas County with the low-cost program available only to owners of pitbull type dogs.
The program’s budget this year totaled $27,445 with contributions from Lucas County, $19,500; carryover from previous years due to COVID-19, $2,740 and dog license fee, $5,205.
Due to the pandemic and a shortage of veterinarians at Humane Ohio, only 347 dogs were fixed in 2022, leaving a carryover of $4,890 for 2023.
Of those dogs fixed this year, the majority were female, 167, compared to 151 males. Most of the furry friends came from Toledo, 228. They were followed by Sylvania Township, 17; Oregon, 13; Springfield Township, nine; Maumee, six; Sylvania, five; Providence Township, four; Monclova Township and Waterville, three apiece; Jerusalem, Washington, Swanton and Richfield townships and Holland, two each; Spencer and Waterville townships and Whitehouse, one apiece, and Harding Township, Harbor View, Berkey and Ottawa Hills, which had no dogs fixed.
Mr. Serchuk said the oldest dog to be neutered was Mika, a 12-year old, and Grizzly was the youngest at two months.
“An astounding 37 percent of the female dogs were in heat at the time of their spay surgeries and countless litters were prevented,” he added.
The top breeds for the program were pitbull type dogs, labrador retrievers, chihuahuas and German shepherds, and the most common names this year were Buddy and Luna.
A Perrysburg Rotarian, Mr. Serchuk was inspired to start the Big Fix due to his love of animals. The low cost spay/neutering service is done through Humane Ohio of Toledo.
~Jane Maiolo
