Lazy was the first. The stately boxer sat patiently waiting in a kennel for his human parents to come fetch him after his surgery. He was cautious but relaxed; the effects of the anesthesia had long since worn off.

Bully, an orange tabby, was the last to go under the knife during Tuesday's 16th annual Spay Day at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society's Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic. Tod Obergfell, the clinic's veterinarian, gently rocked the dazed tomcat back to consciousness before helpers tucked him away in his kennel.

For all the hoopla surrounding Spay Day, the weather had the most impact on the event. The two veterinarians and their crews altered 55 animals, down from the expected 70.

"The weather's been scaring people away," said Eva Paloheimo, the shelter's mobile-clinic coordinator. Paloheimo and her crew, headed by contract veterinarian Tom Parker, handled about half of the animals in the van, while Obergfell and his crew took care of the rest.

It was pretty much a normal day at the clinic, which specializes in low-cost spaying and neutering. By Tuesday afternoon, most of the animals had recovered and volunteers and staff were cleaning up.

The clinic is geared like an assembly line even on regular days, Obergfell said. Once animals are admitted, veterinarian technicians medicate them, while Obergfell operates on one of two surgery tables. The duration of surgery depends on the size of the animal but usually takes about 15 minutes.

"As soon as one is done on one table, I turn over to the next," he said. "I don't even get a break time until they're done; that's the way it is all the time. The only difference on Spay Day is that we have a van outside."

Tuesday was calmer than expected, said Michelle Moody, who helps out in the mobile clinic. Moody said she was disappointed in the turnout, but happy with the animals that did show up. Unlike many of the animals that come in for low-cost altering with the mobile van, Tuesday's patients were healthy and well-fed. "They're Santa Fe animals," Paloheimo noted.

The van, part of the Mobile Spay and Neuter Program, travels throughout the state, offering more than 100 clinics each year. The team provides surgery and care to about 30 animals daily. City or county governments usually cover the costs of the daily visits, which run about $2,500, said Mary Martin, the shelter's director. With budget cuts, however, individuals and groups have been stepping in to foot the bill.

The van's services are mainly focused on spaying and neutering, but the staff also offers some wellness services, such as vaccinations. A portion of the costs are offset by low fees from pet owners.

Tuesday's event, funded by Jane Carson and her nonprofit Pecos People for Animal Welfare Society, offered altering for only a $10 co-pay. While the shelter doesn't keep statistics on what prompts people to get their animals altered, the low cost allowed people to get other services, like vaccinations, said Kelly Tribelhorn, the shelter's medical services manager.

The clinic fielded several dozen calls on Spay Day, with many wanting immediate appointments, she said. While they were disappointed they couldn't get their animal altered that day, at least 15 people made later appointments.

While Spay Day is considered a special event, every day can be considered "spay day" at both Española Valley Humane Society and the Santa Fe shelter. Both offer deep discounts, and in some cases, even offer the owner $10 as a bonus for spaying or neutering their animal.

The price of having an animal spayed or neutered at a private practice varies by size, gender and type of animal, but can run anywhere from $75 to $350, not including possible bloodwork or other associated costs.

Martin, a veterinarian technician, was on hand to help out for the event, but spent most of the day working in the next-door shelter thrift shop, Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Some clinics celebrate Spay Day by offering appointments on a first-come, first-served basis, with people lining up with their animals, she said. That helps create awareness and a buzz about the importance of spaying and neutering, but isn't as convenient as scheduling appointments. It also helps in dealing with the winter's unpredictable weather.

"In Phoenix, we had people camped out the night before," she said. "But you couldn't really do that here with the snow and the cold."

At the Española shelter, discounted surgeries were offered all week in connection with Spay Day, said Nina Chiotasso, who handles community relations. Surgery for cats cost $10, while surgery for dogs cost $25. Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are altered and chipped for free, she noted.

"They are the breed that we are most likely unable to place," she said. "That's not because of their numbers or behavior issues, but because we have less loving homes that are interested in adopting pits because of the stereotypes. Our transfer partners also typically don't accept them."

Martin said she was happy both with the number of appointments and those people who called asking about programs. The Humane Society of the United States estimates there are between 6 million and 8 million homeless animals that go into shelters every year. About half are adopted and the other half are euthanized for a variety of reasons, including lack of space.

While other countries may handle animal overpopulation in different ways, sterilization seems to work best in the United States, she said. In addition to slowing animal growth, sterilization can help with health-related issues, such as reducing the chance of mammary gland tumors and other types of cancer, and helping with behavior problems.

One added benefit of sterilizing a companion animal is that the altered animal is less likely to roam, said Chiotasso. The Española shelter receives about 2,500 strays yearly, and rarely are the strays altered.

An animal can be safely spayed or neutered when it's 8 weeks old, Chiotasso noted, adding the shelter has a 6-month-old puppy in residence that's pregnant

"That reminds us that waiting until your dog is older to have her spayed might just be too late," she said.

The mentality that animals need "just one litter" is also troubling, she said.

"So many people think there is little harm is allowing their pet to have just one litter if they find them all homes," she said, "but if that litter has six puppies or kittens, there are six other animals at the shelter who just lost their chance for adoption. Plus, if those puppies or kittens went on to their new homes unaltered, the cycle continues."

While education and awareness of spaying and neutering is an important component in the battle against animal overpopulation, making sterilization easy and affordable is just as critical, said Carson of PAWS. That's why the group often partners with the Santa Fe shelter's mobile van to provide low-cost surgery to rural areas. Tuesday's event, for example, cost $5,000. Carson said she normally secures grants to help with the costs, but the group hasn't been able to secure many this year.

"I think spaying and neutering is really the best way to get a handle on animal overpopulation," she said. "You have to think about all those little kitties that probably won't live in the best of circumstances. If we can stop that from happening, then that's better for all the animals."

HELP END ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION

Aside from low-cost spaying and neutering clinics, which are available through the Santa Fe animal shelter and the Española Valley Humane Society, there are several programs to help reduce the cost of having your animal altered.

Santa Fe animal shelter

Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic, 474-6422. Felines: $40 for males, $60 for females. Canines: $80 to $150 based on weight and gender. For income-qualified clients — those households making less than $40,000 or receiving public assistance: Felines: $30 for males, $40 for females Canines: $64 to $90 based on weight and gender.

Moving Forward for Felines

$10 co-pay in most cases for every cat.

Big Brown Dog Bonanza

Surgery fees waived for mixed-breed dogs over 40 pounds or puppies expected to grow over 40 pounds. Owners also receive a $10 bonus.

Rico's Fund

Help with spaying and neutering for all animals that aren't covered by the other programs.

Note: To take advantage of the programs, you must request them. Funds are dependent upon contributions. Those interesting in supporting a fund should call Monica Gonzalez, 983-4309, ext. 200.

Mobile Spay/Neuter Program

To find out when the mobile spay/neuter van will be in your area, check the calendar at www.sfhumanesociety.org/SpayNeuterClinic.cfm. The calendar listing will also provide contact information and sponsoring organization.

Española Valley animal shelter

Spay/neuter clinic, 505-753-8662. Felines: $30; Canines: $50.

Española Pit Fix

Pit bulls are sterilized for free.

Note: Pricing is for residents of Rio Arriba County only. Call 505-753-8662.