Regional cat spay/neuter project renewed for third consecutive year

The Gateway Area Development District (GADD) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Joanie Bernard Foundation to support continued spay and neuter efforts for community cats across five east-central Kentucky counties. This marks the third consecutive year the Gateway Cat Spay/Neuter Project has received funding through this grant.

The project was launched following a 2023 needs assessment of animal shelters in northeast Kentucky conducted by Team Shelter USA, LLC. The assessment identified a critical need to reduce the number of free-roaming cats and decrease the intake of cats and kittens into local shelters.

In 2026, grant funding will support spay and neuter services in Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan counties. The Gateway Cat Spay/Neuter Project partners with local veterinarians and the regional humane society to provide services and is jointly managed by Dr. Sara Pizano, founder of Team Shelter USA, LLC, and GADD.

In addition to spay and neuter procedures, participating cats receive vaccinations and are humanely identified through ear-tipping or tattooing, a widely recognized method indicating the cat has been sterilized and vaccinated.

Since its inception, the project has demonstrated significant impact. In its inaugural year, 2024, more than 900 cats were spayed or neutered across the five-county Gateway region. The program continued its success in 2025, completing over 830 procedures throughout the area.

Ms. Deborah Cribbs, who is with the Joanie Bernard Foundation and the founder and leader of Give Them Ten, commented, “Our Northern Kentucky and Bluegrass models continue to demonstrate what is possible when communities invest in humane, data-driven solutions. Since 2016, the Joanie Bernard Foundation has invested more than $4.2 million to support nearly 47,500 cat spay and neuter procedures in 26 Kentucky counties. These efforts have significantly reduced shelter intake and eliminated euthanasia for space in participating communities. We are proud to continue our support of the Gateway Area Development District and the positive impact this program is making in the region.”

Dr. Sara Pizano, founder and consultant of Team Shelter USA, LLC, commented, “Entering the third year of the Gateway Cat Spay/Neuter Project is a testament to the strong partnerships in this region and the measurable results we are seeing. With continued collaboration between GADD and local service providers, we look forward to building on this momentum and expanding our impact in 2026.”

Joshua Farrow, GADD’s executive director, expressed his gratitude to those who helped make this project possible, “For more than 55 years, GADD has worked to address regional challenges through collaboration and innovation. We are sincerely grateful to the Joanie Bernard Foundation for their continued investment and confidence in GADD. This grant allows us to sustain a vital program that benefits our communities, our shelters and the overall well-being of the Gateway region."

Surgeries can only be scheduled by contacting the designated organization in your county of residence. Please see below for telephone contact information.

• Bath County residents: Menifee County Animal Shelter, 606-768-9368

• Menifee County residents: Menifee County Animal Shelter, 606-768-9368

• Montgomery County residents: Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 859-498-8751

• Morgan County residents: Menifee County Animal Shelter, 606-768-9368

• Rowan County residents: Tri-County Animal Shelter, 606-784-4930

For additional information about Give Them Ten and Team Shelter USA, LLC, please visit GiveThemTen.org or TeamShelterUSA.com.