An alliance of twelve humane organizations in rural North Carolina entices pet owners to get their animals sterilized by offering not just reduced fees, but also free transportation to the clinic.

Large wealthy suburbs, not poor rural towns, seem the most likely place for progressive animal-protection programs. But it’s a rural area in western North Carolina that’s home to one of the country’s most innovative spay/neuter programs.

In a region beset with too many pets and too many irresponsible pet owners, twelve humane organizations joined forces to establish the Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Asheville, North Carolina. The clinic’s three part-time veterinarians have performed more than 13,000 sterilizations since the clinic was founded in 1994.

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