A hospital on wheels is on its way to Cherokee to help control the county’s cat population.

Project CatSnip, a traveling veterinary clinic, is coming to Woodstock to provide low-cost spay and neuter operations for cats.

The van has already made two stops in Cherokee and will return Dec. 26 and Jan. 15. The project also makes stops in Cobb, Gwinnett, Bartow and Clayton counties.

The operations are performed in a $150,000 "Spaymobile," a van that has been converted into a mobile surgical suite. The van stops at the Woodstock Marketplace shopping center on Highway 92 near the Interstate 575 exit 7 interchange.

Jeneanne Organ, spay and neuter coordinator for the Cherokee County Humane Society, said she is pleased that the program has come to her community.

"We’re delighted to have them here," she said. "It’s great to have another program to help our pet owners afford spay and neuter operations."

The county Humane Society already offers discounted spay and neuter operations through its Spay and Neuter Assistance Program, or SNAP, and its periodic Tomcat Clinics.

Ms. Organ said there is a definite need for the program in Cherokee. According to the Humane Society, half of the cats that come to the county animal shelter are euthanized to
prevent overcrowding. The rate for the entire metro Atlanta area is 80 percent.

Bob Christiansen, president of the Atlanta Animal Alliance which is sponsoring the program, said cost is one of the main reasons people don’t spay or neuter their pets.

"I think most people want to do the right thing for their pets, but it becomes a price-sensitive issue," he said. "We’re trying to make these operations more affordable so people can do their part to control the population."

The program offers spay operations for $60 and a neuter operations for $40. Average prices for the same operations at local veterinary clinics range from $85 to $220 for a basic spay and $55 to $175 for a basic neuter. The price for more complicated spay and neuter procedures can top $400.

Ms. Organ said the low cost doesn’t mean the treatment the cats receive is second rate.

"I’m extremely impressed with their operation," she said. "They have a great staff, and they are very gentle and tender with the animals."

John Bodie, director of the county animal shelter, said Project CatSnip is a welcome addition to the county.

"It can only help," he said. "One more animal that gets spayed or neutered is one more animal that won’t be breeding and filling up the shelter."

Bodie said the spay and neuter programs in the county are already making an impact as the shelter has accepted 400 fewer animals than it had at the same point last year.

In addition to the spay and neuter operations, the program also offers rabies and distemper vaccinations for cats for a small additional charge.

People who wish to take advantage of Project CatSnip must make an appointment for their cat. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (770) 455-7077.