Several organizations around O'ahu are stepping in to fill a void created by the temporary suspension of the Hawaiian Humane Society's sterilization program.

The Neuter Now program, which provides certificates that residents can take to participating veterinarians for a reduction in sterilization fees, was halted after funding from the city expired for the current fiscal year. The program, which began in 1986, will resume July 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year.

On average, about 250 cats and 250 dogs are neutered and spayed each month through Neuter Now.

Under the program, the Humane Society gives out certificates that residents turn in to participating veterinarians, who then charge residents a reduced fee for sterilizing pets.

Through participating veterinarian clinics on O'ahu, residents pay $40 to sterilize a male cat, $50 for a female cat, $50 for a male dog and $75 for a female dog. Sterilization can cost hundreds of dollars without a certificate.

To help until funding is restored, Animal CARE Foundation, an animal rights organization, and the nonprofit CatFriends are boosting their sterilization services, officials said.

"We have tried to get the word out about our neutering program, and what we've done in the past is (increase services) specifically for Neuter Now certificates," said Frank De Giacomo, vice president of Animal CARE Foundation.

The foundation is charging a flat fee of $35.26 for any female or male cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig or rat. Included is a free microchip and exam.

De Giacomo said the Animal CARE Foundation clinic in Hawai'i Kai should be able to conduct the surgeries that would have been done by Neuter Now's participating veterinarians.

In addition, the clinic has been conducting Feral Fridays, during which an average of 20 to 40 feral cats are spayed or neutered. De Giacomo added that the foundation is considering doing the free sterilizations on Thursdays as well.

Help is also coming from CatFriends, a nonprofit group that relies on the help of volunteers who capture cats in humane carriers and take them to veterinary clinics to get neutered or spayed free of charge, with an optional microchip implant for $5.

After sterilization, the cats are released where they were captured.

"This humane approach returns cats to where they were trapped under humane care and supervision, while ensuring they are not producing unwanted litters," said Jennifer Kishimori, president of CatFriends.

On Sunday, the organization's two sponsored clinics will conduct a mass sterilization with the assistance of a Mainland veterinarian. Cats can get spayed or neutered, including all vaccinations, for $40. All feral cats are sterilized for $25, also including a microchip. Owners can register for an appointment at www.neuterscooter.com. A similar clinic conducted Monday sterilized 10 pet cats and 58 feral cats.

The organization sterilizes about 800 to 1,000 feral cats each year but hopes to double that number with a newly donated mobile spay and neuter clinic. Kishimori said they hope to have the vehicle in full working condition as early as August.

"With the city putting its Neuter Now program on hold, we hope to offer an affordable option for people wishing to sterilize their pet cats and also will continue to sterilize the feral cats," said Kishimori.