About Us

Overall Goals | Organization History
Project Services | MNSP and the Community

Overall Goals
More than 20,000 unwanted dogs and cats are killed in the Twin Cities metro area shelters every year because there are more animals than good homes. The Minnesota Spay/Neuter Project, Inc. (MNSP) was founded on the conviction that the only way to end the overpopulation problem is to stop the flow at its source—by preventing unwanted litters. While traditional humane societies have responded to the needs of the general community with regard to surrendered animals, they have not been able to focus their programs to include assistance to low-income community residents.

MSNP's addresses that unique community need by focusing on serving low-income neighborhoods and residents. Overpopulation is more rampant in low-income neighborhoods and residents often lack access to veterinary clinics and the financial resources needed to have their animals sterilized. Rather than debate the issue of whether persons who cannot afford to spay/neuter their companion animals should have these animals, MSNP simply acknowledges that the human-animal bond is very strong and people choose to bring animals into their families regardless of financial circumstances.

Organization History

MNSP was founded in July 1999 and was granted 501(c)3 status in July 2000.

The major initiative for forming MNSP was the result of the "Pet Overpopulation Conference" in June 1999, sponsored by the Wolf Foundation, the ASPCA, and the University of Minnesota. This conference focused on the animal overpopulation crisis and featured presenters who provided valuable information regarding spay/neuter initiatives, statistical analysis, legislative networking techniques, funding sources, and early age spay/neuter techniques.

Project Services
A typical MNSP Project includes spay or neuter surgery for 50 cats or dogs belonging to residents on public financial assistance in a specific geographic area. Each animal also receives a microchip ID implant and rabies and distemper vaccines. All surgeries include pre- and intra-operative pain control and anesthesia.

MNSP and the Community
MSNP provides a unique community service to a diverse group of clients who would not have access to or knowledge of these services from other sources. Besides the immeasurable benefit associated with the quality of life for animals and residents in the neighborhoods we serve, there are also direct costs associated with uncontrolled animal population. For example, each pair of non-sterilized dogs or cats can produce an average of 3 to 4 offspring per litter (by conservative estimates). In just one year of life, the 50 dogs and cats MSNP sterilized in each project can save the community the expense and hardship related 200 additional more animals. The cost for animal control to pick up and impound, euthanize and dispose of an animal is estimated at $100 per animal, for a net saving to taxpayers of $20,000 for each year these animals would have reproduced.

"Thank you so much for a service I couldn't afford. My dog is my companion and now I know she will not have an unwanted pregnancy again." "Thank you so much for a service I couldn't afford. My dog is my companion and now I know she will not have an unwanted pregnancy again."

97% of all MSNP donations go directly to programs.

Thanks to the following sponsors for their generosity and support.

DJ & T Foundation