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Pet Overpopulation A Growing Problem

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 13, 2007

It's not a disease, yet it kills more pets than heartworms, parvo, feline leukemia and parasites combined.

So, in its own way, pet overpopulation is an epidemic, says Diana Mattox, a veterinarian at San Antonio Animal Hospital in eastern Pasco County.

Although the problem occurs in every community, Mattox is especially concerned about the unnecessary death of animals in Pasco County, where she works.

'Thousands of adoptable animals are euthanized in Pasco every year, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000,' Mattox says.

In Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, there are pet sterilization options for pet owners with limited income. Animal services agencies, veterinary associations and animal shelters either work alone or in tandem to provide affordable spay-neuter services to qualifying pet owners.

In Pasco, pet owners on limited income have been mostly on their own.

But Mattox and some kindred spirits are working to change that.

They got together in the spring to talk about what they can do, and the result is a new, nonprofit venture called Spay Pasco.

The organization, which is awaiting its nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service, has a single purpose, Mattox says.

'Our ultimate goal is to spay and neuter,' she explains. 'That's what's different from other humane organizations in the county - it's our only focus.'

Spay Pasco will not address pet adoptions or other animal welfare issues. Rather it aims to address gaps in existing programs.

Solutions may include education about pet sterilization, creating awareness of new and existing options and networking to offer low-cost spay-neuter services for low-income families, Mattox says. The organization also hopes to initiate spay-neuter legislation in the future.

It doesn't plan to operate in a vacuum.

'First, we're putting feelers out there to find out what our community really needs,' Mattox says.

The group hopes to find out why some pet owners are not fixing their pets.

'We're taking baby steps, so we don't get in over our heads. We'll set achievable goals and work towards them,' Mattox says.

For now, Spay Pasco plans to concentrate its efforts on the East side of Pasco County. Once it develops enough resources, it plans to expand.

Mattox says concentrating the group's resources in a particular area will be more effective than spreading its efforts too thin.

'To be effective, you have to do targeted spaying and neutering in localized areas,' Mattox says. 'We can surely build on our successes.'

Since the program began in May, Spay Pasco has been networking with other organizations and assessing what services are available.

For instance, the group has learned that Pasco County Animal Control provides information and directs those who inquire about low-cost fixing to the available resources.

Spay Pasco plans to take that one step further.

For example, it may be able to provide help with transportation to get the animal to a low-cost clinic or help with trapping a feral animal.

'We don't want to be redundant on services that are already available here in Pasco,' Mattox says.

As soon as nonprofit status is official and funding is in place, financial assistance will be provided to individuals in east Pasco County who can verify their need.

For information or to donate, contact Spay Pasco Inc. at P.O. Box 237, San Antonio FL 33576, or call (352) 585-6205.

Write to Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail Kristen@fetching

THE BEST SOLUTIONS

Did You Know?

•It's cheaper and easier to spay one cat than to find the homes for 10 to 12 of her offspring in one year alone.

•One cat and her kittens will produce more than 420,000 cats in about seven years.

Why It Is Important

•Sterilization reduces aggressive tendencies and lessens some behavior problems. Fewer behavior problems usually results in fewer pets turned in to shelters. Nationally, 75 percent of all dog bites are from intact male dogs.

•Animals that have been spayed or neutered have reduced chances of prostate disease and uterine and testicular cancer.

•Obviously, spaying and neutering eliminates unwanted litters - which reduces the number of animals that are eventually killed because no one wants them.

Spay Or Neuter Early

•Have your cat or dog spayed or neutered early to prevent medical problems.

•A female cat or dog spayed before its first heat greatly lowers its risk of breast cancer. If it has not been spayed before it becomes geriatric, it has a good chance to develop breast cancer.

•Spaying or neutering can also reduce the risk for male dogs to develop prostate problems.

•Also, the younger you spay or neuter your dog or cat, the quicker it recovers. It can be done as early as 8 weeks, but many people wait until their pet is about 4 months old.

Source: San Antonio Animal Hospital

CRITTER CALENDAR

Pet Care Seminar

Meet up with SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today), a nonprofit organization helping people with pets, and guest speaker and trainer Maria Ryan for a free pet care seminar called Who's Walking Who? from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park.

Discover simple techniques and tricks to make walking your dog fun and easy. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call (727) 545-3463 or go to www.SPOT

usa.org.

communicatins.com; or fax to (727) 934-6451.

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