Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin made a trip to Fayetteville Oct. 31 to see the firsthand the results of Georgia’s efforts to curb its population of unwanted dogs and cats. Meeting at Lafayette Center Animal Hospital, Irvin attended a spaying procedure at the clinic by Dr. Mike Younker.

“It’s important that we decrease the number of unwanted dogs and cats in our state,” said Irvin, whose home is populated with several animals. “Our spay/neuter program, supported entirely through the sale of dog and cat license plates, has been tried, tested and proven to be effective and successful.”

The recipient of the spaying was 7-month-old Lucie, a Doberman mix owned by Fayette County Deputy Sheriff Tommy Nations. Lucie was found as a stray by a vet technician who works with Younker. Nations and his wife were quick to provide Lucie with a home.

The Georgia Dog and Cat Sterilization Program is funded by the statewide sale of specialty license plates. Georgians can purchase the plates for a one-time fee of $25 at local tag offices. Since January 2006 more than 21,000 license plates have been issued, netting more than $450,000 for spay and neuter efforts by 782 participating veterinarians across the state and for educational efforts relating to the program. To date, vets have performed more than 19,200 surgeries.

“We want to support this program and the public needs to know how these humane surgical procedures are performed and why our dog and cat sterilization program deserves public support,” Irvin said.

Also in attendance at the Fayetteville procedure was Georgia state Veterinarian Dr. Lee Myers. Dr. Younker is president of Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.