The Newport Animal Shelter's first Big Fix Spay/Neuter Clinic for 2010 has been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28, at the National Guard Armory.

Eligible families will have the opportunity to have their pets spayed or neutered at no cost. Free rabies vaccinations will be included with the surgery.

Families who receive food stamps, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or WIC (Women, Infants and Children) are eligible. Families whose total income is below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may submit an application for this free service by Feb. 15. This is a first come first served program.

Because space is limited it is urgent to get your application in by the deadline.

Applications are available at the Newport Animal, 420 Humane Way, Newport; Country Convenience Market, 200 Highway 160, Newport and Parrott's Place, 101 North Highway 340, Parrottsville.

If your application is approved you will be contacted by a Newport Animal Shelter volunteer to schedule your pet for surgery for either Saturday, Feb. 27, or Sunday Feb. 28.

All pets must be on a leash or in a pet carrier at all times.

If you are more than 30 minutes late, your space may be filled by the next applicant on a waiting list and you may be required to reapply.

We ask that you be patient when you arrive. There will be many people with their pets on the day of surgery, and you may be required to wait. Please understand that we are working very hard to accommodate every patient in a timely manner and that the safety and well-being of each pet is our first priority.

The February Big Fix will be held at the National Guard Armory, Highway 321, Newport.

The program is sponsored by Remote Area Medical Foundation, Newport Animal Shelter and Friends of the Animal Shelter.

This is a tremendously rewarding experience for everybody who loves animals and would like to volunteer. All volunteers must be at least 16. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Volunteers who would like to work hands on with pets must be 18 or older.

We also need food items donated in order to feed the volunteers. The clinic begins at 6 a.m. each morning. Many of the volunteers arrive as early as 5 a.m. and stay until every pet is released. Once the clinic is underway it is impossible to leave the site in order to eat. We need to make sure that we can feed those who dedicate their time to this event.

If you would like to volunteer or donate food for breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, disposable plates, cups and utensils please contact Lora Garcia (423) 623-7742