I’m so tired of the “V” word. I’m going to talk about something else today. The good thing about working with animals is, well, they aren’t people. This means when you’re social distancing from people, you can still work with animals — with a few adjustments. I want to profusely thank ALL our donors for their kind and loving donations and our volunteers who give generously of their time and talents. YOU allow us to do good for Milam County. We are grateful.
Our March Snip and Chip at the City of Cameron Touch of Love Shelter went off as planned on Wednesday, March 18.
19 animals were provided for:
- 5 were current shelter dogs
- 4 were adopted shelter dogs that didn’t get spayed or neutered before they were adopted
- 3 cats were Trap Neuter Return
- 1 cat was from our kitten foster program
- 2 cats were targeted spay/neuter donations
- 1 dog was a targeted spay donation
- 3 dogs were from local families that came to our attention as needing help (our ACOs have great insight into this and are able to advise where the need is greatest, and sometimes we can help)
This month’s Snip and Chip was sponsored by Ruth Kruse.
Next month, we are able to offer a reduced cost spay and neuter clinic to the Minerva community thanks to the generous sponsorship of Denman Overhead Door. (We have a couple more openings if you live in the Minerva community and have a dog or cat that needs spaying or neutering. Message Crystal Vinton Denman to reserve your slot. $40 per animal gets you a spay/neuter, rabies shot, and microchip.)
Our goal is to be able to do more no-cost and low-cost clinics in the community. One thing we needed was a mobile veterinarian we could afford to work with, and we believe Dr. Brinlee may be a significant piece in that puzzle. We’re starting with the shelters because if people can adopt a fully vetted dog there, it helps in a big way. We’re also using the shelters because they allow Dr. Brinlee the space to work. The Minerva Volunteer Fire Department graciously is allowing us to use their space for the April event.
As we’re able to do more, we’ll begin offing low-cost clinics in small communities in the county — ideally one that has been sponsored by an individual or business or a group. We’re starting in the smaller communities because that will help us learn what works and what doesn’t work. We’re new to this process, and we want to do the most good while we’re learning. Many people in these small communities take in dogs that are dumped out there out of the goodness of their heart and hating to see them suffer. We are trying to help alleviate a sometimes unexpected expense.
As we grow and our financial base increases, we want to have regular days of the month or times of the year when people can count on a mobile vet being in their community. Dr. Amy and her “A-Team” does a great job in Cameron on Thursdays. Emancipet comes to Rockdale on a regular basis. We want to expand those resources.
We’re building a database of community cats — these are cats that are cared for by people but need to be spayed or neutered to keep the population under control.
Soon, I believe we’ll begin building a database of county residents who need low-cost and no-cost spaying or neutering so we can begin helping them. We don’t have the financial resources to make this useful yet, but our vision includes being able to do this.
I hope this is helpful and illustrates what we want to be able to do as we gain more financial support. If anyone reading this is in a position to support this effort, we need sponsors for May, which will initially catch up dogs in the Rockdale Shelter who have come in since February and need spaying and neutering or recent adoptees who may have been adopted and not gotten spayed or neutered before adoption. Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.
I’d also like to share an update on our Snip & Chip sponsorships. I understand we have a lot of financial uncertainty now, but I have faith as things become more settled, people will find ways to help get each month funded. Snipping prevents unwanted litters and chipping allows lost dogs to be found. We know this is important to Milam County because your tremendous support has told us that.
2020’s Snip & Chip Sponsors:
January: Jerman Realty and Thweatt Real Estate
February: MTOL Donors
March: Ruth Kruse
April: Denman Overhead Door
May:
June: Sue Ann’s Birthday Fundraiser
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December: