C.A.R.E.4Paws, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce pet overpopulation and keep animals out of shelters, has received five substantial grants this year to continue its spay/neuter outreach efforts in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County’s most overlooked pet-owning community.
C.A.R.E.4Paws’ project promotes spaying and neutering and responsible pet ownership in specific areas of Lompoc that house a large number of unaltered dogs and cats — animals that keep adding to the city’s already overcrowded shelters and rescue groups.
The five grants — $10,000 from Roy & Ida Eagle Foundation; $10,000 from the ASPCA; $15,000 from the Santa Barbara Foundation; $20,000 from Wood-Claeyssens Foundation; and $31,250 from PetSmart Charities — collectively help pay for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ part-time bilingual community outreach coordinator and for spay/neuter surgeries performed at partner veterinary clinics in Lompoc and Buellton as well as in the nonprofit’s own Spay Mobile, a spay/neuter clinic on wheels.
The $31,250 grant from PetSmart Charities, specifically, will allow C.A.R.E.4Paws to spay/neuter a total of 350 dogs in a specific neighborhood from Ocean to College avenues and between north H and Z Streets (known as census tract 27:02). If the nonprofit meets this goal, it’ll be granted the same amount from PetSmart Charities for 2015 to alter another 350 dogs.
C.A.R.E.4Paws’ goal for the city of Lompoc in 2014 is to alter at least 450 dogs and cats, an increase of 150 animals from last year’s spay/neuter surgery total.
The group reaches out to households and merchants to share bilingual information about its services for cats and dogs and their owners, including free spay/neuter surgeries and free and low-cost vaccinations. In fact, the nonprofit hosts quarterly free vaccine clinics at the Half Century Club to help low-income pet owners get their dogs up to date on shots, for free, and also allow them to get flea and deworming treatment for a small donation, or for free if needed.
The Spay Mobile parks at Half Century Club for regular spay/neuter days, which helps attracts pet owners in need as well.
For more information about C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Critical Communities Spay-Neuter Outreach project or to schedule an interview, contact 805-968-CARE (2273) or info@care4paws.org. To learn more about C.A.R.E.4Paws’ many programs, visit care4paws.org.