WAKEFIELD — Local resident and pet supply shop owner Jackie Moriarty has firsthand experience with the problem of cat overpopulation.

At her Sanbornville shop, Muddy Paws Pet Supply, people with unwanted or stray cats or kittens often seek her help in placing the felines in good homes. Moriarty said controlling the unwanted feline population by spaying or neutering cats is important. That’s why on Thursday, she brought her daughter’s cat, Miss Mittens, to the new Rozzie May Animal Alliance Feline Fix It Wagon clinic held at the public safety building.

“There are so many unwanted cats,” said Moriarty. Miss Mittens was one of several young cats that were dropped near her daughter’s backyard. And at her store, Moriarty said she tries to place as many unwanted cats as possible. “We have quite a few cats looking for homes,” she said, inviting anyone who would like a cat to call her at 522-5454.

The clinic was the go-to place on Thursday, where the Conway-based Rozzie May Animal Alliance held the first of many spay/neuter clinics for felines. Available services through the nonprofit’s brand new $90,000 mobile unit include vaccinations, flea treatments and health exams.

Founder and Executive Director Roz Manwaring, who opened the first Rozzie May clinic in 2009 in Conway, said word needs to get out regarding the overpopulation of unwanted cats and kittens. On Thursday, 11 male cats were neutered, and 11 females were spayed.

“We need to get the word out,” said Manwaring, adding that the mobile unit will come to Wakefield monthly, in addition to making other stops. She said the organization’s resources were depleted after purchasing the $90,000 mobile unit, and that it needs to conduct 30 spay or neuter procedures a day to make the program work.

“We need help,” she said.

Inside the clinic, cats were evaluated and then medicated prior to surgery. Veterinarian Monique Kramer performed the surgeries with assistance from Clinic Director/veterinary technician Kristie McNulty. Outside, grateful cat owners showed up midafternoon to retrieve their newly fixed cats. Charging only a base rate of $75 for females and $60 for males, many pet owners saved money by using the clinic.

Cindy Demers brought both her male cats, Coonie and Dusty, for fixing.

“This is a great help. It was going to cost over $600 at the vets,” she said, adding that she opted to have the cats vaccinated at the clinic as well, paying only $140 for both cats.

Charles Townsend of Tuftonboro brought his outdoor cat, Buzzie, whom he adopted from a nearby farm. If he had taken Buzzie to a veterinarian, surgery would have cost $300, he said.

Wakefield Animal Control Officer Fred Guldbrandsen said cat owners don’t have to wait until the pet is a year or older, and that sometimes a cat can have kittens at 6 months old.

While some animal shelters have noted that spring is “kitten season,” Guldbrandsen said in actuality, cats go into heat and have kittens year-round.

“It’s important cat owners don’t wait too long to get the cat fixed,” he said.

Cat owners will have additional opportunities to use the alliance’s services. The Fix It Wagon will come to Wakefield again on June 28, July 26 and Aug. 31. Stops are also planned in Dover, Meredith, North Conway and Berlin/Gorham, as well as in the Maine towns of Brownfield, Bridgton and Windham.

For more information, go to rozziemay.org, or call 447-1373.