The county animal shelter only accepts previously owned animals, leaving no alternative for strays.

Two area residents have now set up a new program to help curb the number of homeless animals.

Stray animals certainly are a problem in Barbour County.

On our way to this story, we saw a stray puppy on the side of the road.

Local residents say sights like that unfortunately are common.

Now however, one organization is working to change that.

Sunny and Cher are two adorable puppies looking for homes.

They are also two prime examples of the growing problem of stray animals in Barbour County.

SNYP Volunteer Renee Klein said, "A year and a half ago we picked up a full blooded bull dog, she weighed 12 pounds. She had no teeth from chewing rocks and twigs and we had to have her euthanized."

Now, a program called SNYP or Spay and Neuter Your Pets is stepping in to help residents afford to get their dogs and cats fixed.

Klein said, "Anyone who makes $30,000 dollars or under a year is entitled to a low cost spay or neuter through this program."

The program's aim is to spay and neuter dogs and cats so they can't reproduce.

Klein added, "We are hoping that in five years we won't see any of these running animals, starving animals, and dying."

SNYP is located in several other states across the nation. Renee and other volunteers supporting the SNYP program hope other counties will take an interest in their cause and create similar programs of their own.

To qualify for SNYP funding you have to be a resident of Barbour County.

The low cost fee is $85 dollars for a dog under 100 pounds and $65 dollars for a cat.

The program will help residents make up the difference for the portion of the fee they cannot afford.

Most of the animals in the video are up for adoption and would make great Christmas presents.

If you need assistance getting your dog or cat spayed or neutered or would like to adopt one of the pets you saw today, you may contact Debbie with SNYP. Her number is 687-5006.