NATCHEZ — Mississippi Spay and Neuter’s Little Fix Rig will be stationed in the parking lot of Rivergate Bowling, and veterinarians will be spaying and neutering local pets starting at 7:30 this morning.

All animals will be released by 5 p.m. today after being operated on and taken care of by veterinarians and volunteers working with the free animal clinic.

Friends of 4 Paws founder Ginna Holyoak said as of Thursday, all surgery slots for dogs had been filled, and only five surgery times remained for male cats.

Holyoak, who played a part in bringing the Little Fix Rig to Natchez, said she will be volunteering on the rig today.

Holyoak said while walk-ins are not accepted at the mobile clinic, people who wish to get their male cat neutered today can call Mississippi Spay and Neuter’s Jackson office at 866-901-7729 and ask to set up an appointment for this morning.

“They do have no shows at times, and you might be able to call and get an animal in,” Holyoak said. “If there are openings, the Jackson office would know if you could bring your animal in.”

Holyoak said last-minute appointments need to be made this morning so that the animal will have time to recover and wake up from the anesthesia.

Holyoak said pet owners who haven’t made appointments for this clinic are encouraged to set up a time for January’s clinic now by calling Mississippi Spay and Neuter.

No payments are required for the surgeries, but each payment or donation to the program helps ensure the rig can continue to provide assistance to Natchez in upcoming months and help spay and neuter animals whose owners don’t have the money the operations.

“It cost $1,300 a day to keep the rig here,” Holyoak said. “Their goal is 30 animals a day for it to be beneficial and for it to support the rig.

“As long as the demand and the funding is there, they have committed to be here a year,” Holyoak said.

The reduced cost of the veterinary services are:

4 $25 for a male cat

4 $35 for a female cat

4 $55 for a male dog that weighs less than 40 pounds.

4 $65 for a male dog that weighs 40 pounds or more

4 $65 for a female dog that weighs less than 40 pounds

4 $75 for a female dog that weighs 40 pounds or more

The clinic accepts eight dogs and 22 cats each day the clinic is open, and Holyoak said the clinic is scheduled to come to Natchez for two days in January, but a location has yet to be pinpointed.

Donations to the Little Fix Rig can be made by visiting Mississippi Spay and Neuter online at www.msspan.org.

Checks can be made out to Mississippi Spay and Neuter — with the written in purpose to fund the Natchez area — and sent to the organization’s office at 2104 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, MS 39208.

Money specified for the Natchez area will go toward spaying and neutering feral animals belonging to people who can’t afford the surgeries for their animals.