A Cherokee County nonprofit organization expects to perform its 1,000th spay or neuter surgery of the year this month.

The mission of the Holly Springs-based Georgia Animal Project is to reduce animal suffering and combat companion-animal overpopulation by subsidizing low-cost, spay-and-neuter clinics and education programs.

Over the three years of the project's existence, the demand for its service has expanded four times over, said President Cindy Foster. In its first year, the program performed 250 surgeries. Last year's total grew to 700, and the project anticipates performing operation No. 1,000 later this month.

"It has been a 'build it and they will come' model," she said about the growth in the program. "I'd like to grow big enough to have some paid staff."

The project had performed 976 surgeries so far this year as of Thursday, then another 15 on animals that were brought in to its clinic on Friday at TC Country off Highway 20 in Macedonia.

The project works with local veterinarians to sponsor several clinics each month in north Georgia. The next clinic is on Friday at TC Country.

The costs associated with the clinics are reduced from what a veterinarian would charge, and the fee quoted to the individual varies depending on their ability to pay. If the pet owner is unable to pay the full cost, the clinic can arrange an alternative solution. Limited no-cost procedures are offered.

Ms. Foster said veterinarian costs for a dog can start at $300 and can be $75 to $100 for cats.

"A lot of people are not able to afford it," Michele Edwards-Stewart, a veterinarian who practices at the Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton and participates in the Georgia Animal Project, said about the reason for the growth in numbers of procedures. "The economy always affects it. The word has gotten out about it, too."

The project is looking for donations as well as paper towels, trash bags, bleach, brooms and mops and volunteers that can help with clinics.

For information about the project, call (770) 704-PAWS or (770) 710-9606 or see the Web site at www.theanimalproject.org.