Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance (OSPA) was awarded a $2000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society to conduct a Chihuahua/Chihuahua mix Spay Neuter Voucher Program, helping to reduce the number of animals entering Oakdale Animal Shelter, which serves the cities of Oakdale and Riverbank. The Chihuahua Snip n Chip project helps expand the outreach of OSPA’s subsidized spay/neuter voucher program that began in August 2011.
Meanwhile, that program recently reached a milestone of its own.
The Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance celebrated its 1000th spay/neuter with an ongoing partnership with the ACT Spay Neuter Clinic in Stockton. On Wednesday, July 9 Fluffy and owner Debbie Black boarded the Act shuttle and Fluffy was the 1000th pet to be served through the OSPA’s spay/neuter voucher program. Zena and pet owner Tiffani Cline were the 1001st pet and owner to be served through the program. Petco in Riverbank provided gift baskets filled with treats, toys and grooming products for Fluffy and Zena.
On Saturday, July 5 the OSPA held an Adoption event at Petco that was a success with 30 vouchers distributed and six adoptions.
For the first time the members of the OSPA ran out of vouchers and had to start a waiting list until more vouchers are printed.
“The OSPA is thrilled that so many people looking for a pet have chosen to adopt a shelter pet,” stated Debi Scoles, OSPA vice-president. “The Oakdale Animal Shelter has a wonderful selection of loving animals in need of homes.
“Whatever you might be looking for, a cat or dog, big or small, baby or adult, quiet or active, the perfect pet is waiting for you at the shelter. Please consider adopting your next furry friend from the Oakdale shelter.”
Call Betsie Corwin at 209-543-5434 or email info@oakdaleshelterpet.org for more details about a pet adoption.
If you are interested in the Chihuahua program, vouchers will be available for $40 per dog on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Petco in Riverbank from 10 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. and at the Oakdale Animal Shelter, 9800 Liberini Ave. in Oakdale from 10 a.m. to noon. Proof of residency in Oakdale or Riverbank is required. A free microchip is included to help return lost dogs back home. Some restrictions may apply.
OSPA participates in Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets Network, a program offering help and support to grassroots animal rescue groups saving lives in their communities.
“This grant means that we can add the Chihuahua Snip n Chip project to our efforts this year to find forever homes for rescued pets,” explained Scoles. “Our goal is to perform 50 spay/neuter operations for Chihuahua, or similar small, short haired dogs over one year. We appreciate Best Friends’ support to make the Chihuahua Snip n Chip Voucher Program a great success.”
“Small short haired Chihuahua type dogs are the most at risk of the breeds that come into our Oakdale Animal Shelter and many get overlooked by adopters. If more get fixed and don’t breed more puppies, we hope fewer will end up homeless at the shelter,” said Danielle Merritt, Oakdale Animal Shelter Manager.
“This grant project will help address one of the critical components in the homeless pets issue,” added Liz Finch, senior manager of Best Friends Community Programs and Services. “By helping families afford to spay/neuter their companion animals we can make a significant impact on the number of unwanted litters that are born each year.”
