GENEVA – Rich Glessner said he has heard too many stories about people who are in tough financial straits, having to give up their pets because they can’t afford to keep them anymore.



Glessner and the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League hope to change that. The league has opened a low-cost spay-neuter clinic at 11 John St. in North Aurora.



“More and more people these days are giving up their pets for financial reasons,” said Glessner, director of the clinic. “We wanted to see what we could do to address that issue. We want to keep animals in their homes. We want to be proactive.”



At the same time, Glessner said the league wants to reduce pet overpopulation. The clinic offers low-cost spay/neuter procedures for cats and dogs, with the cost ranging from $40 to $80. The procedures normally can cost hundreds of dollars, Glessner said.



“We are committed to keeping companion animals out of the shelter system by taking an active role in reducing pet overpopulation in our communities,” said Ellen Wullbrandt, president of Fox Valley Animal Welfare League.



The clinic, which is located off Route 31 in the Prestige Plumbing building, is taking appointments. The offices of Fox Animal Welfare League, a nonprofit, no-kill welfare organization, also is now in the building.



From noon-3 p.m. Feb. 11, the league will give low-cost vaccinations at the new clinic. All vaccines are $15, and for low-income families, the cost is $10. No appointment is necessary.



The league plans to give low-cost vaccinations every third Saturday, and increase the number as demand grows, Glessner said. The clinic also plans to open a pet food pantry later this year, he said.



“We are stocking food now,” Glessner said.



While the clinic is primarily for the Fox Valley area, residents from other counties are welcome to come to the clinic, he said.



“We won’t turn anybody away,” Glessner said.



The clinic will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Feb. 28, which is World Spay Day.



More information about Fox Valley Welfare League is available at www.fvawl.org.