United Spay Alliance Partnered with Maine Animal Health Alliance and Pet Friendly Services of Indiana to provide this vital service

AUGUSTA, ME (October 11, 2025)/Lafayette, IN (November 16, 2025)  – United Spay Alliance marked significant progress this fall with two hands-on veterinary training sessions held in partnership with state and local organizations in Maine and Indiana. These HQHVSN wet labs provided licensed veterinarians with practical, efficiency-focused surgical skills designed to reduce unwanted litters and strengthen community capacity for accessible spay/neuter services.

Maine Training

In partnership with Maine Animal Health Alliance, United Spay Alliance facilitated its fifth hands-on veterinary training in Maine on October 10, 2025. The wet lab provided instruction in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) techniques for five licensed veterinarians, further expanding Maine’s growing community of professionals trained in safe, efficient, and evidence-based surgical methods. Participants practiced under the guidance of experienced HQHVSN surgeons, gaining practical skills essential for reducing unwanted litters and supporting community needs.

To date, United Spay Alliance has facilitated seven trainings in Maine, providing instruction to 38 veterinarians. A total of 264 cats from Maine’s shelters and rescues have been spayed or neutered as part of these learning opportunities, demonstrating the immediate and meaningful impact of the program. This session marked the 17th United Spay Alliance wet lab nationwide, with two additional training sessions scheduled before the end of 2025.

“None of this work would be possible without strong partners like Maine Animal Health Alliance,” said Brianna Lovell Myers, Executive Director of United Spay Alliance. “Their team has supported this program from its earliest days, and hosting five training sessions together underscores their ongoing dedication to expanding spay/neuter access in Maine and beyond.”

United Spay Alliance also recognizes the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, whose early investment in the pilot phase helped launch and grow these vital training opportunities for veterinarians across the state. Their continued support remains crucial in driving community-wide impact.

Indiana Training

United Spay Alliance, in partnership with Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, also facilitated a hands-on HQHVSN training on November 16, 2025 — the 18th wet lab held by USA this year. 

Five licensed veterinarians participated, bringing the total number of Indiana veterinarians trained to date to 11. The session focused on practical, high-efficiency surgical techniques that help reduce the number of unwanted litters and support the state’s overburdened animal welfare system.

According to Shelter Animals Count, 1.4 million cats entered shelters and rescues in the first half of 2025 alone, underscoring the urgent need for widespread, preventive approaches.

“Pet Friendly Services of Indiana has been an outstanding partner in bringing this training to the state,” said Lovell Myers. “As our Indiana State Leader, they understand the needs of local communities better than anyone, and their support has been essential to making these hands-on training opportunities possible.”

What’s Next
United Spay Alliance continues its mission to expand access to affordable spay/neuter services by bringing HQHVSN training to communities across the country. For details on upcoming training or to learn more about hosting your own event, visit unitedspayalliance.org/hqhvsn-wet-labs.

About United Spay Alliance

United Spay Alliance (USA) envisions a future where every cat and dog has the opportunity to thrive. We work to make this a reality by championing affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services. Through proactive prevention, we aim to stop animal suffering before it begins. USA maintains a nationwide directory of low-cost spay/neuter services , fosters collaboration through the State Leader Network, and empowers veterinarians with programs like HQHVSN wet labs and Feline Fix by Five. In 2024, USA launched United We Spay, a monthly podcast sharing inspiring stories from the spay/neuter movement. Learn more at unitedspayalliance.org or follow @UnitedSpayAlliance on Facebook and Instagram.