In 2011, roughly 2.6 million shelter animals were euthanized, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Today, there are 1.5 million annual euthanizations (670,000 dogs and 860,00 cats, per the ASPCA). This reduction is largely attributed to more widely available, low-cost spay and neuter services.
Still, available resources for low-income households lack statewide.
Over the course of the past four years, Katie Gray, an Associative Veterinarian at the Willamette Animal Guild, has been fighting to introduce a new license plate option to Oregonians. WAG is a 501c3 non-profit, headed by Misha English, who also played a large role in the development of the new plate.
“The money that’s collected from the sales will fund low-cost spay and neuter services,” she said. “Organizations can apply for grants and receive the funding they need.” WAG has its own low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter clinic, which was founded by Kathy Ford and Jill Winans in 2008. “In early 2020, we’re expected to hit 60,000 spay/neuter surgeries,” shared an excited Gray. “That translates to around 300,000 fewer pets suffering on the streets.”
Lee Ordonez, a Portland-based artist, donated his time to designing the plate.
Vouchers are available online at wagwag.org/license-plate/ for $40, or they can be physically purchased at the clinic (located in Eugene) for the same cost. Vouchers purchased online will be mailed, and plates will become available once the quota is met. All revenue collected from the “Oregon Loves its Pets” license plates will directly benefit WAG’s “Spay it Forward” program, and once the initial voucher period has come to a close, a portion of the revenue will go towards a new “Spay it Forward Oregon” fund.