For those who may not be able to afford a spay or neuter for their pet, help could be rolling into town very soon.

Wednesday night more than 30

people had an opportunity to tour and learn more about the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ latest addition in their arsenal, a full-sized bus specially outfitted to perform these operations.

The bus was on display at the Suffolk Animal Shelter prior to an informational meeting on the possibility of establishing an SPCA here. Giving the tours was Sharon Q. Adams, executive director of the VBSPCA. She also facilitated the meeting that evening.

The bus was purchased from the Maryland SPCA, which

had taken it off the road about three years ago.

Adams, saying they couldn’t stand to see such a valuable resource go unused, said her group decided to purchase it. They have only had it for about three weeks now.

The bus is equipped with 25 individual cages, a self-contained water unit, refrigeration, a microwave, an autoclave for sterilizing instruments and an operating suite.

Before buying the bus, Adams said her group, which operates in the Tidewater Partnership for Animal Welfare and Sheltering with five facilities across Southside Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore, experienced logistical issues in fulfilling their mission.

For example, to service the Eastern Shore, they would leave Virginia Beach in a van at 4:30 a.m., pick up as many animals as they could carry, return to their home, perform the surgeries and then take the animals back.

Now, with the bus, they can drive to anywhere they need to be and stay for as long as is necessary.

She said her organization has been working with the Suffolk Animal Shelter to be able to provide the services of the Neuter Scooter to area residents. Nothing firm has been worked out at this point, however.

The bus can also be used during disasters, said Adams.

doug.grant@suffolknewsherald.com