CLEARLAKE — The day was crisp and the perfect temperature for the hordes of dogs and people lined up along the sidewalk of the Clearlake Senior Center for free vaccinations, microchips, food, leashes and halters on Sunday.
It was the first clinic that Jameson Humane, located in Napa, has been able to hold since 2019 due the pandemic. Monica Stevens, president and co-founder, said they began coming to Lake County after the Valley Fire in 2015, when they were just one year old, to help residents and their animals by bringing much needed food. She referred to this clinic as a disaster preparedness clinic; “In times of a disaster,” she explained, “Not only is it important that animals are microchipped in the event they are separated during a fire or flood evacuation so they can be united. Also, hotels and motels require cats and dogs be up to date on their vaccinations in order to stay with their humans who are fleeing a fire.”
Brenda Burke, Jameson Humane’s Community investment manager, spoke about organizing the clinic. “When we were informed that the COVID restrictions were loosening and allowing us to provide an animal clinic, (for the first time) since the COVID pandemic hit, Jameson Humane was thrilled. My role is organizing all logistics to provide a successful and safe event for the community of Clearlake which includes confirming a safe location with the City and completing applications for approval to rent the space, meeting with our team to organize what the day looks like, supplies we need, volunteers we need, as we couldn’t do any of these events without the dedication of our volunteers. We are grateful to Joyce Overton, of the Clearlake Senior Center for hosting this event.”
Stevens brought with her seven staff and 18 volunteers, who left Napa at 6 A.M. to give them time to set up at the Senior Center. Petco Love sponsored all the vaccines, which are not cheap. When a Petco customer donates at checkout, it enables Petco Love to create a lifesaving impact in communities, Stevens said. Later she reported that 189 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies were vaccinated and microchipped at the February 20, clinic. “Folks,” Stevens said, “started lining up at 7 A.M. to secure their place in line for the 9 to 12 P.M. clinic.”
“Due to COVID, the system is on overload,” said Stevens. “COVID has really given us a bum steer. It’s been difficult for people to get vet appointments. The cost is prohibitive for some who suffered financially during the pandemic. Many vets and pet hospitals are understaffed, which is why we’re helping with the vaccines today, but not spay/neuter.” She took a beat and repeated herself, “COVID,” she said, shaking her head, “has cut down the ability to get animals spayed and neutered.”
According to Jameson Humane’s Director of Marketing and Communications Maral Papakhian, clinics have seen a stoppage or slowdown of medical clinics in 2022 due to the pandemic which causes overpopulation to boom without access to spay and neuter services. It also caused a host of other medical issues that have not been addressed.
“Thankfully,” Stevens continued, “the mask mandate has been lifted, which allows us to focus today on the animals rather than Covid protocol.”
Two 10-week-old German Shepards, Jeb and Duke, waited patiently in line with James Carter and Ali Juarez. Duke’s feet were giant. Juarez said, “Their parents are big dogs, so Duke most likely will be big as well.”
Further down the line was an older black lab mix, Hayes, 15, who stood quietly amongst all the other dogs. Eric and Ana Woyce, from Kelseyville, said they learned about the clinic through social media. Gray-faced Hayes was perfectly happy to be petted by anyone walking by.
Toward the front of the line was Candieda Johnson with her daughter Haley, 11, and son Bruce, 4, from Middletown. They brought Mama, a 4-month-old Great Pyrenees puppy who had a fluffy white, thick coat. Johnson told how they just moved into their house two months ago and found Mama, whose owner wanted to re-home her. “The man just didn’t want her anymore,” she said. Haley held a tiny Pit Bull puppy wrapped in a blanket. An attendee was giving away the pit puppies and Haley convinced her mom to let her have one. The puppy’s fur was as soft as silk; dreamy.
Giving away puppies at the clinic was frowned upon, yet Stevens said, “We’d rather make lemonade out of lemons by helping the man get the parents of the puppies spay and neutered. “He can come to our our mobile vet vehicle, by appointment, at our Napa location to have that done.”
Cats were vaccinated and microchipped in a separate closed-door room to make sure no cat escaped during the processes.
Dog and cat food was donated by North Bay Animal services, with Jameson donating collars, leashes and harnesses. Giant bags of dog food were piled high at one end of the Senior Center parking lot, with several volunteers helping to load the bags into cars for attendees who were in need of the food. As Officer Russ Marshall helped Tavajo Viers take a bag of dog food to her friend Pam Bohn’s car, he said Animal Control is definitely out dealing with animals at large, in biting situations and animal hoarding.
“Our holding a clinic here,” said Stevens, “makes people feel cared about. Knowing we are helping hundreds of animals every year stay healthy is why we come back here. The graciousness and gratitude from the Lake County folks is so heartwarming. Even the animals are thankful! The clinics allows everyone to feel good.”
Go to https://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org to learn more about Jameson Humane.
