Humane Society loses bid for spay-neuter contract

Nonprofit group Poi Dogs and Popoki is taking over management of the city’s low-cost spay and neuter program beginning Friday.

City officials said Thursday the switch from the Hawaiian Humane Society resulted after the city issued a new contract for the service and that it should not result in a big change for pet owners seeking a Neuter Now Program certificate, which offers a discount on spaying and neutering services with participating Oahu veterinarians and clinics.

Pet owners will also still be able to purchase the certificates at any of the nine satellite city halls around the island, said Sheri Kaji­wara, the city’s director of customer services.

What’s different is that they will no longer be able to purchase certificates from longtime vendor Hawaiian Humane Society, but will be able to purchase them from Poi Dog and Popoki’s The Big Fix mobile clinic, which travels across the island several days a week, Kaji­wara said.

And for the first time, the certificates will also be available for purchase online, through poidogsandpopoki.org. Doing so will require a wait of up to two weeks for the certificate to arrive in the mail, she said.

Costs of the certificates are the same: $40 for male cats, $50 for female cats, $125 for male dogs and $150 for female dogs. The cost covers a pre-surgery exam, sterilization surgery including anesthesia, removal of stitches if necessary, and post-surgical complications that might arise within 24 hours of surgery, Kaji­wara said. Pet owners are encouraged to inquire with participating vets about any possible additional costs.

Alicia Maluafiti, Poi Dogs and Popoki president, said those who use The Big Fix will also get a microchip, cones for the head and pain medication included with the price.

Pet owners who are EBT cardholders can get their pets spayed or neutered for a flat rate of $20 at the mobile clinic, Malua­fiti said.

Most of the vets who have participated in Neuter Now are continuing under the new contract, Kaji­wara said.

The one-year city contract, which is for about $550,000 annually, has long been held by the Hawaiian Humane Society, which will continue as the city’s vendor for responding to dangerous, loose dogs and intake of animals dropped off at the Moiliili facility.

Poi Dogs and Popoki outbid the Humane Society, Kaji­wara said.

Pet owners who purchased certificates under the Humane Society program will still be able to redeem them at HHS-approved vets within three months of purchase as stated on the certificates.

The next Big Fix clinic day is Monday at Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit poidogsandpopoki.org for other clinic dates and information.