Full Notification

C.A.R.E.4PAWS AND SANTA BARBARA CITY ANIMAL CONTROL LAUNCH ANOTHER SPAY/NEUTER PROMOTION TO HELP CURB PET OVERPOPULATION

Santa Barbara, CA (April 27, 2015) – To help reduce the high number of animals that end up abandoned in our Santa Barbara shelters, C.A.R.E.4Paws and Santa Barbara City Animal Control will host a second joint spay/neuter promotion this year, this time through the month of May. C.A.R.E.4Paws, a local nonprofit that works to reduce pet overpopulation and keep animals in their homes, has received a $2,800 grant from City Animal Control to offer spays/neuters, vaccinations and microchipping to the first 30 Santa Barbara City dogs and cats whose owners call to schedule an appointment in May.

All 30 pets will be altered and vaccinated during a May 29 spay/neuter day at VCA Care Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital on Haley Street, Santa Barbara. Roughly half of the animals will be altered inside VCA Care by a team of surgeons and half in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Spay Mobile, which will be parked outside. The vaccines included are rabies, distemper/parvo (DHPP) for dogs and feline distemper (FVRCP).

The first collaboration between City Animal Control and C.A.R.E.4Paws took place in December 2014 and January 2015 and helped as many as 60 city dogs and cats. The promotion was inspired by City Animal Control Officer Stephanie Burgard, who experiences firsthand the devastating consequences of irresponsible breeding and unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. “The pet overpopulation problem is real, says Burgard. “This partnership helps City residents spay/neuter dogs and cats—most of whom would otherwise never get altered—and prevents hundreds of animals from ending up in our already overcrowded shelters.” She adds, “We hope our hard work and dedication make a difference for the animals and for the citizens of Santa Barbara for years to come.”

Apart from this special promotion, which includes vaccines and microchips, C.A.R.E.4Paws offers free spays/neuters for low-income pet owners in Santa Barbara County year-round. In 2014 alone, the nonprofit’s spay/neuter program helped alter more than 1,000 dogs and cats for free and is on target to alter at least 1,000 animals this year as well. Pet owners experiencing financial difficulty and are interested in getting their dog or cat spayed or neutered should contact C.A.R.E.4Paws at 805.968.CARE (2273) or [email protected].

For more information about the promotion and upcoming spay/neuter clinic, please call 805-637-1892 or email [email protected]. To learn more about C.A.R.E.4Paws and its programs and other upcoming events, please visit www.care4paws.org.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

Isabelle Gullö-Abitia

Executive Director

C.A.R.E.4Paws