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Yes you read that correctly. Free!
You are now thinking what is the catch. No catch. May 31, 2014 the SPCA of Solano County Spay/Neuter Clinic is celebrating “No Father’s Day” by neutering 150 male cats free of charge.
Our mission is to reduce the number of animals surrendered to municipal shelters by reducing the number of unwanted litters. This sponsored event will allow 150 male cats either pets, feral or rescue groups are welcome. Advance appointments are required.
To make an appointment by phone 707-448-8750 or 707-448-7722 or by email solanoclinicinfo@gmail.com
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It never seems to fail that when I think everyone has lost their mind and their compassion for everyone and everything around them I get one of “those” phone calls. I know it is a bit melodramatic but there it is. Sometimes it just is.
We have seen an increase of kids having birthday parties and instead of gifts for themselves they ask for donations for the animals instead. I don’t know if the kids have the idea or if it is just the parents teaching their kids that they should help in the community and give to those who are in need. In this case homeless animals. For whatever the reason these kids are learning to think of others instead of just themselves.
I had the mother of one of these kids call today. It has been a rough couple of days for my morale here and I needed her call today. What a great thing for kids to learn. She wanted to know what were the priorities on our wish list. She wanted to be sure the other parents knew what we needed. She said the kids were excited to go shopping for the animals.
Faith in humanity restored, for today at least. One day at a time.
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Levi and Tucker will work for snacks!!
Eddie of the Hut! Eddie works as the honorary bouncer at his families store. http://www.tweedhut.com
A little over 3 years ago we found Zooli’s picture on Pet Finders. We came to Vacaville and much to our joy, you let us adopt her. Her name at that time was Luna but we gave her a new name because Luna was too close to the name of our dog that had died of cancer a month earlier. Anyway, I wanted to let you know how much we love our precious pet. She takes us for a walk EVERY morning and to the dog park several times a week. We can’t imagine our lives without this wonderful, loving addition to our family. Thank you so much for entrusting her to us
Bella and her new little brother Dogzilla. Both were adopted from the SPCA of Solano County
Vanna was adopted from the SPCA of Solano County and has turned out to be the perfect companion.
We have had a lot of different pets come through the SPCA of Solano County in the last few years.
Some I remember and some I don’t. There have been so many that it is interesting when I find old pictures and see familiar faces. Sasha the Golden Retriever/Rottie mix that was returned several times through no fault of her own, just a victim of circumstance. Mama kitty, the Siamese cat that I fostered and had her kittens in my shower, Daniel our housecat that got adopted out twice and found his way back, twice!
The question I get asked the most is how do you keep from taking them all home? The short answer. A great deal of self control and the knowledge that we will do everything in our power to make sure they go to their forever home. That is the goal. Every animal to have a permanent home with a nice warm bed and a family that loves them. The reality is that we don’t always succeed the way we would like but we do make sure that they are happy and loved while they are with us.
We have had animals, dogs and cats with us for a year. People may question if that is fair. If those animals had been in a different shelter they might not have had a chance at a forever family. Honeydew was a very sweet female pitbull that we pulled from the county shelter. She had cropped ears and looked intimidating, combined with a standoffish personality (she wasn’t going to waste her time on someone not worthy) made for a difficult adoption. A year after she arrived she found her forever home and she still comes to visit.
Cuba
Steve was a cat with us almost the same duration. He became a favorite fixture in our cat adoption trailer. He even has a room named after him. He was another one that you had to earn his attention. It takes just the right home. They make amazing pets put they don’t make it easy.
Some of them jump right out and say TAKE ME!!!! LOOK AT ME!!!!! That works for a lot of them. Then there are the people who want the one that isn’t so outgoing. The one who takes some time to get to know them.
So how do you know which one is the right one?
That is the question. How can you be sure? Everyone seems to have an idea of how to choose or what they are looking for, other people wait to be chosen. Still others want their current pet to choose. The most important thing….
Listen to the people who know the animals best! The shelter or rescue staff spends a lot of time with the animals. They know their different personalities. We hear all the time, “ I had a dog just like that when I was a kid” We don’t doubt that and we know that most likely you know about that type of dog but you don’t know THIS dog.
If the staff says the dog isn’t good with kids, cats, other dogs, small animals etc. it is because we have noticed behaviors that indicate there could be a problem. We can’t predict what any animal will do in all situations, but we do our best to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible. This is our SPCA dog not the dog you had as a kid.
One incident comes to mind. A few years ago we had a very cute miniature dachshund that was surrendered because it wasn’t good with the owners toddler. We knew it was a problem so we needed a kid free home for this dog. We made sure to stress that fact when we talked to anyone about the dog. I had a young couple come in and say they had recently gotten married and were looking to get a dog and wanted the dachshund. I mentioned that the dog wasn’t good with kids. Their response? We don’t have kids. So my next question… “Are you planning to have children?” The response, well of course but not for a year or so. How do you respond to that?
We as shelter/rescue staff get attached to them. Some people can handle fostering, some can’t. We want to make sure they don’t come back to the shelter. We ask a lot of questions and try to let adoptive families know as much as possible about the pet they are interested in. Adoption is a big commitment. It is very hard on everyone when it doesn’t work out and it is very frustrating when it doesn’t work out because the people adopting didn’t listen. We don’t have all the answers but we can give you a good starting point. If we recommend a crate, make sure they are in a crate when alone. The dog is getting used to your house and it is a much safer way. Dogs have been returned because the people got them home turned them loose in the house and went to work. That is a recipe for disaster.
Morgan
We recommend that you introduce cats slowly to each other. It isn’t a good idea to just put them in a room together with one food bowl and one litter box. Nobody will be happy. Sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. The cat comes back and we hear, it won’t use the litter box, hiding under the bed, fighting with the other cat. I bet. The cat went from the place where it was comfortable and familiar and dropped into hostile territory without warning.
The easiest adoptions take work. There is always a transition period, some short, some long. It will be worth it in the end. Listen to the adoption counselors or talk to the trainer that they recommend. They all want it to work and will do everything in their power to help you be successful.
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What a long process. I am in no way, shape, or form done. I will never be done. I hope I get to slow down for a few minutes at some point.
I started working at the SPCA of Solano County in 2003 just after it reopened. It had closed due to lack of funds for a short time. They decided to close temporarily and regroup.
I was training horses at the time and needed a steady income. I answered an ad in the paper for kennel help. I applied and was hired. I worked with two other people Amanda and Chad, who is now a fantastic officer for Humane Animal Services, our sister company. A few months later Amy joined team and our Director was Jill. We thought we were full when we had 10 dogs and 15 cats. How times have changed.
The conversations about a low cost spay-neuter clinic for Solano County began then. I wasn’t sure at that time how animal services in general worked. How did you license your dog? Where do you take strays? What exactly does the SPCA do? Solano County is way behind other counties when it comes to animal services.
Here we are in 2013. We are full when we have 40+ dogs and 30+ cats and misc. creatures. It seems we always manage to find room for “just one more”. We have built up an active Facebook following. We are becoming the place to get your questions answered and now we have the only high volume spay-neuter clinic in Solano or Yolo county.
I have now written and won a large grant $93,500.00 from Petsmart Charities. Hired an amazing staff. Chaunte is our RVT and clinic manager. I don’t think I could have made it through the couple months before opening without her. Hard word and dedication.
Things just keep growing. We have more people that want to help us and that is fantastic but it also leads to more events, more programs and more work. Success keeps you busy. Success keeps you motivated.
We have done almost 75 surgeries already. I actually got to be a technician for the first few days of surgery. I do miss doing that but my position has changed and I need to do what I am doing. I will have to settle for filling in when someone is sick or on vacation. It was nice to get to use the new equipment.
Shelden Steele is a rep with Henry-Schein. She has been a huge part of putting this clinic together. She has negotiated prices, researched equipment and coordinated deliveries. Now that the grant from Petsmart Charities has had documents signed it is time to order the rest of the equipment. The clinic staff has been working with the basics they need to get into the rhythm of working as a team. Now the fun will start.
All the shelters are full and they keep coming in. The goal is 30 surgeries a day 10,000 a year. This is how we will reduce euthanasia rates in Solano county. It is the only way….
Puppies waiting for forever families to adopt them at the SPCA of Solano County
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Construction projects are frustrating when they somewhat as planned. They never come in on time or under budget and you are at the mercy of whatever trade is currently working on their part of the project. The drywall guy is mad at the framers, the painters are made at the drywall guys and on and on.
Of course with this project there has been the added bonus of PG&E challenges, waiting on grant money, and most recently getting the equipment we have into the clinic building with a tractor and borrowed forks. We never would have gotten them moved in there without it, we really could have used a forklift. We made it work just like we always do and nobody got hurt! 🙂
It is starting to come together. The PG&E is straightened out, sort of. At least there is a plan in place and progress is being made. Having the equipment in place, at least part of it is very encouraging. It helps to see what the finished product is going to look like. Everyone is starting to get very excited. The staff that will be working in the clinic is fantastic. That was the one aspect of this project that just came together.
It is finally getting there. Just a little bit longer…..
