LAKE COUNTY — The Animal Coalition of Lake County (ACLC) aims to assist with spaying and neutering.
ACLC, a newly-formed nonprofit organization, is continuing in its mission to help reduce pet-overpopulation in Lake County. The coalition is organizing its second yard sale to raise funds to assist senior and low-income pet owners with the cost of spaying/neutering their companion animals.
The ACLC”s first yard sale, held in May, netted more than $2,000 for the organization. A portion of the proceeds were earmarked specifically toward the funding of vouchers redeemable at participating veterinarian offices to cover the cost of pet alteration. To date, the coalition has issued more than 500 vouchers to local pet owners.
The coalition is accepting donations for its upcoming yard sale, which will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 12 at From Me 2 U, 14104 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Donations may be dropped off at the same location, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The organization is seeking nice, household items and furniture as well as other reusable items. No clothing or computer-related items, please.
ACLC board of directors has been meeting regularly since Dec. 2007. In addition to its voucher program, the organization is exploring several other ways to assist in reducing pet-overpopulation throughout the county.
A committee has been formed to address feral cat colonies in the county. Committee members reported contacting a Sonoma County-based organization called Forgotten Felines for guidance in establishing a manageable program. “Forgotten Felines is a wonderful organization,” said Marta Williams, board president. “They”ve been extremely successful in dealing with the feral cat issue in Sonoma County. With their assistance, the coalition hopes to establish a program in Lake County that is as effective as Forgotten Felines.”
The coalition is also exploring options for educational outreach. “Education is the key,” said Williams. “Especially, if you start with children, you help them understand what it takes to keep animals safe and healthy and what it takes to reduce pet overpopulation.
Most people don”t know just how many kittens a cat and her offspring can produce or how many animals are euthanized each year in Lake County.”
According to Paula Werner, of Lake County Animal Care and Control, one cat and her offspring can produce 1.2 million cats in eight years. A dog and her offspring can produce 16,000 dogs in just four years. In 2007, a total of 306 dogs were euthanized in Lake County, including those put to sleep at the request of their owners. A total of 1,283 cats were euthanized, including those at request. In June 2007 alone, 258 cats were euthanized.
ACLC aims to reduce these statistics. “Through education, community outreach and our spay/neuter subsidy program ACLC seeks to ensure the humane treatment of all animals and reduce the number of animals that are being euthanized in Lake County each year,” Williams said.
Those interested in scheduling an educational presentation by the coalition are encouraged to contact Vice President Rita Doyle at 995-0552 for more information.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
