WeSNIP NEWS

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Along with spay and neuter surgeries at various locations in Whatcom and Skagit counties, the staff and volunteers have been busy with several community outreach projects – the 2^nd annual “To Neuter is Cuter" event; presentations and tours of the Spay Station at Shuksan Middle & Larrabee Elementary schools in Bellingham; and participation in the Bellingham Homeless Connect Project sponsored by the Whatcom Volunteer Center.

This year the weather cooperated wonderfully for WeSNIP’s second annual “To Neuter is Cuter” Day at Tails-A-Wagging.  Last year was rainy and cold, but this year it was a bright, clear morning when volunteers set up the registration tables and the families lined up with their male kitties.

February 21, 2010	February 22, 2009

Volunteers set up registration tables while Chris and Angi finished final tasks.

Families began lining up for one of three check-in shifts available.

Registration began while one woman had her final words of love to her precious kitty before he started his long day.

Kitties of all colors, sizes, and shapes peered out from their carriers.

Maybe this kitty looks so unhappy because of his “Pretty in Pink” carrier.

One gorgeous kitty gets final love pats from his family while Dr. Karen cuddles the first “patient”.

Volunteers carefully monitored the kitties as they recovered from surgery.  Amber Chenoweth, from Pasado's Safe Haven, spoke with volunteers and distributed free pet food to the families as they picked up their kitties.

PATRICIA MAASS' PRESENTATION AT STACI HURLEY’S CLASS
AT SHUKSAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Monday, January 25, 2010

Patricia did a WeSNIP education presentation at Staci Hurley’s 8^th grade class at Shuksan Middle School.  Staci introduced Patricia to her class, and Patricia spoke with the students about WeSNIP’s mission to help stem the problems of pet overpopulation.  She explained how the reduced fees charged help the program reach a broad population of pet owners.  Then she showed them a trap for catching feral kitties and discussed behavior problems in dogs that are not neutered.  She told them how the problem of animal over population is the result of man’s interference in the natural process of the “survival of the fittest”.  Patricia was impressed with attentiveness the students demonstrated and the insight of their questions.

Zara drove the Station to the school, and the students got a tour.  Then they posed in front of the Station.

After the visit, Staci gave this evaluation of the impact of Patricia’s presentation, “It was such a great opportunity for the kids to learn about the Spay Station and the services it provides.  Many of the kids did not realize that there was a free or affordable option for spaying and neutering in our community.  After hearing about the statistics and just how many healthy animals are euthanized each year in our country, I had many students tell me that they changed their mind about wanting their dog or cat to have a litter.  They realized how much difference it can make by just spaying or neutering their family pet.  I really appreciated the chance for the kids to see the Spay Station up close and hear from someone who is on the front lines and dealing with the issue of pet overpopulation on a daily basis.” 

Staci Hurley, 8^th grade teacher at Shuksan Middle School

The following are some of the students’ comments:

“I think the Spay Station is a great opportunity to help the community get educated about how important it is to spay and neuter your pets.  It also helps people who can’t afford it, which helps lower the overpopulation of animals in our community.” 

“Spaying animals saves other animals from dying because less animals end up in shelters.”

“My sister’s cat was spayed on the Spay Station, and they did a great job.  It was awesome to get to see where the surgery took place.” 

“Touring the Spay Station was a cool opportunity to see how our pets are being taken care of in the community.”

“The Spay Station’s mission to supply spaying and neutering services to everyone, regardless of their financial state, is a really great thing.”  Kristin Smith

“It is important to spay and neuter your dog so everyday thousands of dogs don’t end up dying in shelters.”

“Choose to rescue a dog.  Don’t buy – adopt!”

“After hearing about the Spay Station, I’m planning on taking our dog there soon!”

“I learned that spaying and neutering is also important for your pet’s health.”

“If I had to lose my testicles, I would want to lose them on the Spay Station.” 

PATRICIA’S PRESENTATION AT THE FIRST GRADE CLASSES
AT LARRABEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Monday, February 22, 2010

Zara drove the Station to the school.

Patricia spoke to three 1st grade classes, and then each class got to go on the station and see Dr. Karen. Each child was given a surgery cap as they boarded.

First, Patricia asked the students if they had pets and if they knew what spaying and neutering is. She then explained the surgical procedures. Next, she drew pictures on the board to show how many babies a human mom and dad could have in one year. Then she showed how many babies a dog or cat mom and dad could have in a year. She explained that those babies grow up very fast and if not spayed or neutered can start having babies of their own.

Then she told them that when there are too many puppies, they don't get enough attention and training. The puppies can run away, jump up, sometimes bark too much and bite - then no one wants to give them a home.

When there are too many kittens, they don't get held or petted or around people enough and they become wild, hide, bite, and have to live outside.  The presentation went well as the children paid attention and seemed to understand.  The children lined up to get their surgery caps and listened to Patricia as she explained procedures on the Station.

The children toured the Station and then posed in front with Dr. Karen and Patricia.

First grade teacher, Alex Brede, made a positive comment about the presentation and Spay Station tour:

“The students responded very well to the presentation, especially when the presenter drew on the board to show why we need to spay or neuter. Getting the kids to understand how many cats and dogs there would be if we didn’t spay or neuter is difficult. Using pictures or some kind of game makes it more accessible.The tour inside the truck was outstanding!”

2^nd Annual Bellingham/Whatcom County Project Homeless Connect

Thursday, March 4^th

Project Homeless Connect is one day of services where guests can obtain medical and vision screening, dental, mental health and DSHS services, Washington State ID cards, housing information, haircuts and pet care. More than 50 service providers donate their staff time and equipment to give services on the spot or with a referral for free follow up after the event. According to Greg Winder, director of the Whatcom Homeless Service Center and chairman of the Whatcom County Coalition for the Homeless, 467 households were served, including 679 people who requested services.

The Spay Station had a good location, parked directly in front of the Marketplace Depot Square.

Dr. Karen Rounds of the Whatcom Humane Society examined around 23 pets, and vaccinated those that needed it. Most pets were already spayed or neutered. The volunteers got names and phone numbers of the families needing transportation for their unaltered pets and they will be given help getting their animals to the Station at a later date. This year, people knew that WeSNIP was coming and said they planned the visits into their day. Some people just stopped by to talk about different things with a "live veterinarian". The volunteers from the Humane Society handed out quite a bit of free pet food along with other supplies, and stopped by the Spay Station at lunch time to enjoy pizza from La Fiamma and compare notes.