In an effort to head off the burgeoning pet population in the county, animal advocates are trying to put a dent in the spring puppy season.

On the heels of a successful campaign late last year, animal advocates in the county are taking applications from pet owners who may not be financially able to have their pets spayed or neutered, but want to do their part to control the pet population in the county.

Jane Taylor, with Mayberry4Paws, said the group will begin taking applications for assistance on Jan. 26, and appointments for the procedures will begin shortly thereafter.

The assistance will be available for dogs only, and will cover only the surgical procedures.

“There will be no vaccinations covered,” Taylor said.

And once again, Mayberry4Paws is being assisted by a NASCAR-based foundation.

“Sponsorship this time is being provided by two sources,” Taylor said. “The Greg Biffle Foundation has provided a $3,500 grant, and we’re also being sponsored through an anonymous donation.”

Per the request of the anonymous donor, the amount of the donation is not being disclosed.

“We can’t publish a standard dollar amount for the total we have available this time according to the provisions of the donation,” Taylor said.

The Greg Biffle Foundation was founded in 2005 by Greg and Nicole Biffle to create awareness and serve as advocates to improve the well-being of animals.

Financial support for the foundation comes from a variety of sources including individual contributions along with the sale of NASCAR Pets calendars and various racing and other sports memorabilia.

And unlike previous spay/neuter events, this campaign isn’t going to be providing the surgeries free of charge to the pet owner.

But Taylor said the assistance will be substantial.

“It’s going to be similar to our previous, free campaign, but not identical,” she said. “This time, we’re going to be sitting down and having a conversation with the pet owner to determine how much they can pay.

“It will be determined on a case-by-case basis and could be 50 percent or 90 percent of the costs of the procedure,” Taylor added. “But it will be some substantial financial assistance.”

Taylor said the goal of this event is to spay and neuter as many animals as possible, but since the amount of the donation isn’t being disclosed she can’t say how many animals they hope to spay or neuter.

But she said the services will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

“Once the money we have on hand has been committed to the surgeries, we’ll no longer be able to take requests,” she said. “But once they apply, we’ll begin calling the pet owners to schedule their appointments as early as next week.”

Residents who want to see whether they qualify for the program can call Mayberry4Paws Director Michelle Edwards at 789-4775.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.