Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Week of 3/4/12 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Bunnies at Desert Haven



Spring is almost here and with it the dog and cat breeding season will soon be in full swing. The Sierra County Humane Society wishes to remind everyone who genuinely cares about their companion animals to have them sterilized. Not allowing one’s dog or cat to breed in a world that is already overpopulated with unwanted animals is an act of kindness towards a beloved animal and a major positive step towards helping the tragedy of pet overpopulation in this area. Sierra Animal Shelter with its multitude of dogs and cats routinely euthanized and disposed of in the local land-field is a constant reminder of that tragedy. The Sierra County Humane Society continues to be pro-active in offering Spay/Neuter rebates to area residents. Applications are available at the TorC Police Station, Hot Springs Animal Clinic and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe. We wish to thank the TorC Police Department secretaries for assisting with this valuable community service since the program started in 1990.

 The funds needed to operate the comprehensive Spay/Neuter program are generated at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, located across the alley from the TorC Family Dollar. The yearly budged for the entire program is around $10 thousand dollars. P&C Thrift Shoppe also cover the costs of operating the SCHS sponsored Adopt-a-Classroom program, which brings Humane Education directly into participating Sierra County Elementary classrooms. Interested in more information on both programs? Contact us at 575-894-1694.

The Animal Control Ordinance indicates that a companion animal left out-of doors must have – within easy reach – an adequate shelter that provides protection from the elements and of course a constant source of water. If you witness animal neglect or abuse, contact Dispatch at 894-7111. Request to speak to the Animal control Officer. It is usually wise to request a follow-up from the Animal Control Officer within a reasonable amount of time. If the situation does not get corrected very soon, contact the Sierra County Humane Society at 575-894-1694 and we will investigate. If you prefer, you can also contact the state-wide Animal Cruelty Hotline at 877-5HUMANE (877-548-6263). Callers may remain anonymous. Animal loving folks must speak out against animal neglect, cruelty and abuse, regardless of who is causing it. If we don’t, who will?

Thank you, Jennifer Kneib, for your long-term commitment to Desert Haven. Jennifer drives one morning a week all the way from Hillsboro to help care for the sanctuary’s feline population and in Birdland. Interested in helping out with animal care a couple of hours a week? Do you enjoy walking dogs? Contact us at 575-894-1694. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge, also at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven. You can also e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com.

No comments: