In an effort to prevent pet overpopulation and improve animal health, the School of Veterinary Medicine plans to provide 300 low-cost spay and neuter procedures for dogs and cats from Yolo and surrounding counties on Feb. 27 as part of Spay Day 2005.

The event is part of a massive volunteer effort coordinated by the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition to spay and neuter 1,400 animals in the Sacramento region through the Spay Day project. UC Davis will provide about one-fourth of the procedures actually carried out on Spay Day.

The low-cost procedures are available for dogs and cats from households with annual incomes of less than $35,000. Owners will be charged $15 per cat and $20 per dog. In return, each animal will receive services valued at $300, including the surgical procedure, a physical exam and basic blood work, any needed vaccinations, a microchip for identification, and tests for heartworm and several other diseases.

Veterinarians will perform the actual procedures, and veterinary students will serve as dedicated "guardians," accompanying the animals during the exam, surgery, recovery and discharge.

"There are so many dedicated people working on Spay Day; it's a huge community effort," said Sophie Grundy, a veterinarian and graduate student researcher in the veterinary school. Grundy, who is helping to coordinate the event, noted that more than 400 volunteers from campus will participate.

To appreciate the magnitude of the undertaking, consider that the vet school will make available 31 surgical tables in its Veterinary Medicine Laboratory Facility and 131 overnight kennels. And it will provide 120 large pizzas, 600 donuts and countless gallons of coffee to keep its volunteer staff well fueled throughout the event.