KOBI5 Interview – Friends of the Animals Community Spay and Neuter Clinic is now open

KOBI5 Newsroom Staff – June 24, 2025

When you need a little help, you call on a friend. When Southern Oregon dogs and cats need a little help, they count on Friends of the Animals Southern Oregon, or FOTAS. Board president Becky Cohn and operations manager Megan Ayars joined Emily Storm on Sunrise this morning to share their love of helping our four-legged friends.

When FOTAS started in 1991, the focus was on making life better for dogs and cats living in shelters, and helping them get adopted. That support has remained over the years, but the main focus has shifted to reducing the overall number of animals entering shelters in the first place. FOTAS pursues this mission on several different fronts. They have monthly adoption events that showcase dogs and cats looking for forever homes. FOTAS also holds monthly low-cost, drive-through vaccination and microchip clinics.

In March of this year, they opened the “FOTAS Community Spay and Neuter Clinic”, a high-quality clinic based in Medford, dedicated to affordable care. This is where people can take advantage of the “Paws and Effect Fund”, powered by donations. This program allows income-qualified pet owners to fix their pets for just $25. The reality is that half of pet-owning families cannot afford regular veterinary visits. Clinics are often overbooked and overwhelmed, and euthanasia remains an unfortunate last resort option. The purpose of this clinic, along with FOTAS’ other efforts, is to break the heartbreaking cycle of animal overpopulation.

For more information about the FOTAS Community Spay and Neuter Clinic, their monthly events, or how to get involved through donation or as a volunteer, visit their website.