JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's called the Fix 32216 Project. And Dr. Jennifer Broadhurst at the Jacksonville Humane Society hopes that is exactly what it will do.
"We don't want to see animals killed in shelters just to make room for more," said Dr. Broadhurst.
Right now people who live in that zip code can have their cats, pit bulls or pit bull mixes spayed or neutered for free.
"We have to decrease the number of reproduction of owned cats and pit bulls," she said.
Numbers show there are more pits and pit bull mixes euthanized from this area, than other kinds of animals.
"It's also a harder breed to adopt out. So we not only have a higher number of pit bulls in city shelters, but they take longer to get adopted," she said.
Non-feral cats also have a lower return-to-home rate. And that's why both populations are being targeted.
"Even if it's your outdoor kitty or the cat you take care of in your home, you have ownership of that cat," said Dr. Broadhurst.
Pet Smart supplied the grant giving more than $200,000. Under the program these dogs and cats will also get free microchips, rabies shots and city license and registration.
Anyone who qualifies can call the Jacksonville Humane Society Animal Hospital at 904-725-8766, option 4. You need to supply a drivers license and one utility bill for proof of address.
