07/21/2026
July 21, 2026
Media Contact:
Beverly Ashton, President,
256-617-2322
[email protected]
Partnership for Animals in Athens/Limestone (PAALS)
Receives $125K Grant from the ASPCA® to Support the PAALS Spay/Neuter Clinic
- OPENING DATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 -
Funding will assist with expenses related to renovating and equipping a building to operate as a high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic.
Athens, Alabama – Partnership for Animals in Athens/Limestone (PAALS) has been awarded a $125K grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to support a high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic including expenses associated with renovating a building and purchasing medical and non-medical equipment required to operate as a veterinary clinic. The grant will help PAALS provide critical, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries at a low cost to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats in the fastest growing county in Alabama.
“Limestone County currently has a shortage of veterinary resources, and no low-cost spay/neuter resources,” said Beverly Ashton, President of PAALS. “PAALS’ goal is to significantly reduce the number of homeless animals in the community, to reduce the suffering of homeless animals, and provide relief for community resources required to address homeless animals. Based on research, we expect to use a proven formula to reduce the shelter intake in the community by 50% over a five-year period. This generous grant from the ASPCA is instrumental in helping us achieve our goal.”
PAALS will use this funding to complete its renovation of a leased building located at 15495 East Limestone Rd, Limestone County, and purchase the equipment required to operate as a veterinary clinic in the state. PAALS is currently searching for a full-time veterinarian to perform spay/neuter surgeries; job postings for veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and an office manager will be posted in the coming weeks. They are working towards an opening date of September 15, 2026.
“Affordable, accessible high-quality spay/neuter services are essential to reducing pet overpopulation and helping keep animals out of shelters,” said Holly Amann, senior manager of clinic mentorship programs at the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance. “The ASPCA is proud to provide PAALS both with grant funding and with ongoing mentorship as they develop their new high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic. PAALS new clinic will provide critical, lifesaving services to Limestone County and the surrounding communities.”
The PAALS Spay/Neuter Clinic will accept clients from anywhere and any income. They will charge one low cost to everyone, based on the s*x and size of the animal, similarly to other low-cost spay/neuter clinics in the state. Additionally, they will work to fund a “Targeted Spay/Neuter Fund” through donations and grants to provide free spay/neuter surgeries for animals of low-income residents; barn cats, community cats and feral cats; and pit bull mixed breeds. The animal populations PAALS is targeting with this fund disproportionately contribute to the number of homeless animals in the community.
For more information about Partnership for Animals in Athens/Limestone, go to its website at PAALSLimestone.org and our page at PAALS – Partnership for Animals in Athens/Limestone. PAALS is designated by the IRS as a 501c3 charitable nonprofit.
Since 2001, the ASPCA has provided more than $250 million in grant funding to thousands of animal shelters, municipal and government agencies, rescue groups and other organizations nationwide. Grants are just one example of how the ASPCA is helping animals and communities in need. The organization supports a variety of programs ranging from increasing pet adoptions to helping communities build strong programs to rescue, shelter, transport, and support animals during natural disasters, improving access to veterinary care, and advancing research that either directly or systemically benefits animals. For more information about the ASPCA’s grant-making and current initiatives, visit www.aspcapro.org/grants.
The ASPCA is one of the nation’s largest animal welfare grantmakers, providing financial and other support to nonprofit animal welfare organizations.
