By James Mulcahy

Since its inception just two years ago, one of the goals of Lifebridge for Animals was to have as many dogs and cats as possible spayed or neutered before releasing them as adopted pets.

That goal is being fulfilled.

Starting in April, pets at the Shelby County Animal Shelter are being spayed or neutered prior to adoption, thanks to the organization and its efforts to obtain the needed equipment and to the county's commitment to the project.

Through a grant, Lifebridge for Animals was able to buy the equipment and secure a room for spaying and neutering. Elk Creek Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Alex Shelley secured the equipment and helped set up the room.

"The compliance level is going to be very high now because the animals will leave the shelter spayed and neutered," Shelley said.

He also noted the "convenience factor" for the pet owner: "They don't have to take them anywhere to have it done," he said. "It's a good deal -- a good step forward."

Teresa Bottom, Lifebridge's executive director, said the spay/neuter clinic at the animal shelter was a much-needed addition.

"It's a gift to Shelby County with no strings attached," she said. "The main thing is that we won't be allowing any adopted animals to be released unaltered."

The organization had previously offered spay/neuter vouchers to those who adopted pets, but the vouchers weren't used as much as Bottom had hoped.

"The voucher just doesn't work," she said. "Despite the best of intentions, people get busy and just don't have time, and pretty soon there will be more babies."

The opening of the clinic allows Bottom and Lifebridge for Animals to concentrate on the group's educational effort.

"We started Lifebridge to teach little people to value and respect the lives of each other and their pets, and to address the issue of pet overpopulation," Bottom said. "If we just spay and neuter, you're putting a Band-Aid on the problem. You have to teach little people to be respectful of the animals."

Bottom conducts a Humane Education Program for all second-grade classrooms in Shelby County Public Schools, as well as in other school systems.

"We have grown by leaps and bounds," Bottom said. "(It's) exciting to see what has been accomplished in two short years."

Since it began, Lifebridge for Animals has:

-- provided spays and neuters for many Shelby County animals

-- provided humane education to second-graders

-- advised animal welfare groups about the state of humane education

-- been featured on WHAS and WAVE television stations, and on Disney Radio

-- been featured in Shelby County Life magazine, The Sentinel-News, Kentucky Living and All Around Kentucky

-- been nominated for the Better Business Bureau Torch Award

-- participated in the Better Business Bureau of Louisville Charity Review

-- initiated legislative bills that would require pets adopted from shelters and humane societies to be altered before being released to adopting families

-- had its director (Bottom) be named 2008 Woman of Achievement by Shelbyville Business and Professional Women.