PELL CITY — The Animal Shelter of Pell City Inc. is off to a great start this year.

“Our January numbers were down by 20 percent compared to last year, so we’re off to a wonderful start,” said ASPCI treasurer Jo Mitchell.

Mitchell said she believes the numbers of animals brought into the shelter are down due to the success of the shelter’s Spay Neuter Assistance Program.

“The ASPCI has a goal of reducing the number of incoming puppies and kittens at our shelter to zero,” she said. “The SNAP program provides certificates to pet owners who need financial assistance in getting their animals fixed.”

Mitchell said the program was recently expanded, and is now available to all residents of St. Clair County, and residents of Lincoln, which contracts animal control services through the ASPCI.

“Our incoming numbers tend to start increasing in March, and peak in June, July and August, although we have had some pretty high numbers in September as well,” she said.

Mitchell said although the total number of incoming animals in 2009 was only 5 percent less than 2008, the shelter saw significant decreases during several months of the “peak season,” which she attributes to the success of the SNAP program.

“There were 1,371 spay/neuter surgeries completed in 2009 through our program, and we hope to complete at least 1,500 this year,” she said. “In addition to outreach programs conducted by our Board of Director’s SNAP Committee, our shelter staff works with everyone who brings in a litter to get the mother of the puppies or kittens fixed so the animal won’t reproduce again.”

Mitchell said 94 SNAP certificates were issued in January 2010.

“We want those numbers to increase,” she said.

Mitchell said as the days get longer and warmer, animals begin coming into season.

“We are urging everyone to ‘beat the heat’ this year by getting their pets fixed before that happens,” she said. “We would much rather see the pet owner at the shelter getting a SNAP certificate than bringing in puppies or kittens.”

Mitchell said SNAP certificates can be obtained at the shelter, located at 1071 Airport Road, Pell City. Individuals who cannot come to the shelter for SNAP certificates should call ASPCI president Helen Powell at 205-746-5601.

The ASPCI also offers low-cost certificates that pet owners can purchase to pay for the vaccinations that all the vets in the program require prior to surgery (spay/neuter). The vaccination certificates are $30.

Certificates are redeemable at a number of participating veterinarian practices, including Animal House Veterinary Clinic in Harpersville, Argo Animal Clinic in Trussville, Branchville Animal Hospital in Branchville, Crossroads Animal Hospital in Moody, Leeds Pet Clinic in Leeds, Lincoln Veterinary Clinic in Lincoln, Logan Martin Vet Clinic in Pell City, Moody Animal Clinic in Moody, Main Street Animal Clinic in Birmingham, and Pell City Animal Hospital in Cropwell.

Mitchell said there are numerous animals available for adoption at the ASPCI. The adoption fee is $125 and includes spay/neuter surgery, all vaccinations, microchipping, dewormer, physical/fecal exam, heartworm test for dogs, and feline leukemia test for cats.

For more information, call the Animal Shelter of Pell City, Inc. at 205-814-1567.