With spring’s arrival, the earth comes alive. The days become longer, birds return from warmer climes, and we welcome the awakening of long dormant gardens. But, with spring, also comes kitten season, which lasts well into October.
Litters of unwanted kittens arrive at our door in need of food, shelter, and medical care, creating huge demands on staff and volunteers. So, this issue of our newsletter focuses on the importance of population control and takes you inside our spay neuter program to learn more about our long–standing efforts to reduce pet overpopulation.
For 20 years, we have contracted with Shelter Outreach Services, a not-for-profit MASH style spay/neuter practice, to provide sterilization services for our shelter animals, feral cat populations and pets of the income eligible public in our community. Together, we have sterilized over 17,000 animals. Shelter Outreach Services provides a veterinarian, a licensed veterinary technician and surgical equipment and supplies. Our staff and trained volunteers provide administrative support and recovery services. During a typical day we perform about 30 dog and cat surgeries, starting at 7am and ending at 7pm.
But, it doesn’t really start there. Several weeks prior to a clinic the scheduling begins. Let’s take a look!
Then, it’s time for cleanup, readying the facility for the next day’s activity.
Every effort is made to keep costs to a minimum with Humane Society staff and volunteers providing support at no cost to clients. We seek grant funding to help offset the costs for those who simply cannot afford it and to fund the sterilization of feral cats. Companion animal sterilization remains critical to the mission of the organization and the cornerstone of the work we do.
Through March of this year, we have sterilized 217 animals, 50 dogs and 177 cats. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please visit our website at www.schuylehumane.org or call us at 607-594-2255 ext.205.
YTD Adoptions
- 53 cats
- 17 dogs
- 15 dogs returned to owner