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Clearlake Pet Project begins; first set of spay/neuter surgeries takes place Saturday
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – An effort to provide free spaying and neutering for hundreds of Lake County pets got under way on Saturday.
The Clearlake Pet Project will provide a total of 500 free spay and neuter surgeries over the coming months in a large scale effort to help reverse the trend of dog and cat overpopulation in the county.
Organizers report that it's the largest free spay/neuter program in the county's history, and estimate that the 500 surgeries will prevent the birth of 7,500 unwanted puppies and kittens.
On Saturday, 31 pets were operated on at the SPCA of Lake County's Kelseyville clinic, according to SPCA Board President Brenda Crandall.
In addition to providing free spay and neuter surgeries, the Clearlake Pet Project – run by the nonprofit group Animal Refugee Response of Contra Costa County through a generous grant from PetSmart Charities – will offer free vaccinations and parasite control for pets of very low income pet owners.
The Clearlake Pet Project aims to decrease the incidence of unwanted litters, reduce incidence of preventable disease, and ultimately to reduce Lake County's pet euthanasia rate, which is one of the highest in California. Many of the prequalified pets have never before been seen by a veterinarian.
The first phase of the program focuses on the pets of Clearlake and Lower Lake residents. Applicants have been pre-approved and surgeries have been scheduled through the summer months.
Medical oversight is being provided by Animal Care Clinic of Contra Costa County. Transportation for pets without a way to and from their appointment is being provided by Animal Coalition of Lake County. Jameson Rescue Ranch of Napa County also is contributing additional support.
Although excellent low-cost spay/neuter options do exist in Lake County, including a voucher program from Animal Coalition of Lake County, and the FIX Lake County program from Orphan Dog, some pet owners cannot even afford these options.
The second phase of Clearlake Pet Project, planned to begin in the fall of 2016, will open up to other Lake County communities.
For more information contact Blythe Lucero at 510-230-3758 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For pet owners who do not qualify for the Clearlake Pet Project but still need assistance with spay/neuter services, contact the local nonprofit animal rescue group Orphan Dog to fill out an application for its FIX Lake County initiative at http://www.orphandog.org/info/display?PageID=16604 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Lake County Animal Control and Care offers spay and neuter services for qualified individuals, and they will fix any pit bull for reduced rates ($50 for males, $70 for females). Call 707-263-0278 for more information.
For low cost spay and neuter vouchers in the city of Clearlake contact the Animal Coalition of Lake County at 707-995-0552.