Pet parents of animals in need of a quick fix might want to take advantage of Fix’em February, a countywide promotion to get animal populations under control.

Promoted by the Humane Society of Beaufort County, three Beaufort County veterinarians are lowering rates for the month: Chocowinity Veterinary Hospital, Pamlico Animal Hospital and Tar River Animal Hospital. Since each clinic sets its own rates, discounts may vary for each, but it’s estimated to be a 25- to 30-percent savings on the surgery.

“All three animal hospitals do this voluntarily,” said Marty Poffenberger, DVM. “They reduce rates for the month of February to reduce the population problem — there’s no subsidy.”

Poffenberger, president of HSBC, said the lowered rates for Fix’em February have been hugely successful and if the number of surgeries scheduled Monday was any indication, it will be another successful year. February is the month of choice each year for two reasons: it’s generally not a busy month and cats tend to go into heat in the spring.

“We would really like to see this done so we don’t have to see the flood of puppies and kittens that come into the shelter over the spring and summer,” Poffenberger said.

She said it’s a disastrous combination in the warmer months: the increase in new litters of puppies and kittens with adoptions slowing down simultaneously. Beaufort County has been plagued with an overpopulation of animals due to a lack of spaying and neutering and controlling those animal populations through the surgeries is the main goal of HSBC. Last year, the organization contributed $12,368 toward surgeries, helping 302 animals in the process.

Those who would like to get a pet spayed or neutered, but aren’t able to afford it can ask HSBC for additional help. There are two other ways all county residents can pitch in so the local shelter isn’t overrun with animals again this year, she said: by encouraging people they know to get their pets spayed/neutered and by donating to HSBC.

“This is our huge push,” Poffenberger said. “It’s what we do. … It’s just one of those win-win-win (situations). We’re busy, but we’re happy to get those surgeries done, and while they’re in here, we can give (pet owners) more education about their pet’s health and it helps animal control with decreasing the population.”

Appointments can be made at the following hospitals: Chocowinity Veterinary Hospital, 252-946-9000; Pamlico Animal Hospital, 252-946-2834; Tar River Animal Hospital, 252-946-2417. Appointments are required. The offer for financial assistance from HSBC is open to residents of Beaufort County; for more information, call 252-946-1591. To donate to HSBC, mail donations to P.O. Box 8, Washington, NC 27889.