Spay and Neuter Kansas City is recovering from an unexpected bite out of its budget—nearly $1,300 after vandals targeted its trucks twice in a few weeks.
“It’s a huge loss for us,” said Amy Herrington, director of operations for the non-profit.
Three weeks ago, vandals targeted one of the trucks, used to transport animals to and from the clinic, by throwing a cinderblock through the windshield.
“The entire thing was crumbled in a great big hole, right through the windshield,” Herrington said. “There was no way around but replacing it fully.”
Spay and Neuter replaced the glass and moved the trucks to the other side of the parking lot, closer to a busy intersection in order to increase visibility.
But the vandals hit again a week later. This time, they broke the side windows and mirrors of both trucks.
“When we have a loss like this, it really pushes our schedule back. It means those individuals are not receiving the help they need,” said Herrington.
The damages have cost the non-profit between $1,200 and $1,300. The same amount of money, Herrington said, could have funded 12 or 13 dog spays, 15 to 20 dog neuters or up to 50 cat neuters.
Spay and Neuter Kansas City sees about 500 animals a week. It has a clinic and provides low-cost as well as free spays, neuters and vaccines for Kansas City-area residents' pets.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at ariel.rothfield@kshb.com.
