The event was modeled after the successful Fix Our Feral Clinics (www.fixourferals.org). More than 120 volunteers from five cat rescue groups -- Friends of the Formerly Friendless, Homeless Animals’ Lifeline Organization (HALO), Community Concern for Cats (CC4C), Feral Cat Foundation and Contra Costa Humane Society -- did intake and paperwork and supervised the animals’ postsurgical recovery. Volunteers monitered breathing of cats both before and after surgery. There was a “crash” area if any cats stopped breathing. Each organization was allowed twelve feral cats, including ours. Somewhere around noon it was decided that everyone was going to finish with the initial 60 spays/neuters early and the call went out for any one to bring some in. A estimated thirteen more cats were brought in bringing the total for the day to 72 cats spayed/nuetered.
Besides being spayed/nuetered cats were evaluated for health issues, and treated for any apparent wounds or illnesses – one cat was put down because he was very ill. The cost was approximately $30 per cat, which included spay/ neutering, treatment of any other obvious health issues, rabies shots, other vaccines and ear tipping. Animal Services and the five cat groups each put up $1,000 for Sunday’s event, with the leftover money going toward future clinics. H.A.L.O. volunteers past and present came together to help make the day a big success and not only donated their time but supplies, snacks and beverages as well.
“It was an amazing thing just to get all those groups to work together. There was a nice article in the newspaper on Monday about the event, “ said H.A.L.O. president Verlene Leonardo.
There is hope that Spay Day will be an ongoing thing, perhaps done quarterly. At some point, it is hoped that there will be certificates for low cost spay/ neuters available.
A special THANK YOU goes out to our H.A.L.O. volunteers; Verlene, David, Chris, Claudia, Verlene’s grandson David, and Lainey, for all their hard work.
County Spay Day is a Big Success
Female ferals anesthetized and prepped for spaying
H.A.L.O. volunteer Claudia (left) assists with a neuter surgery.
Trapped cats were lined up in a staging area prior to surgery.
H.A.L.O. Aids in Hurricane Katrina
Animal Rescue Efforts
In September 2005 AMERS, Animal Medical Emergency Response, our local pet ambulance company headed out to Jackson Parish, LA to work with the animal shelters help with injured domestic pets and those abandoned by owners as well as assisted service animals such as Seeing Eye Dogs and Police Dogs.
H.A.L.O. helped in raising funds for the trip. A total of $14,300.00 was raised from the generous donations of bay area residents. $10,000 went in assisting AMERS with their work and the remaining $4,300 went to other rescue groups in the area that were hit by Katrina.
As well and assisting in the fundraising H.A.L.O also took in animals from the Sacramento Shelter – and
found them loving homes - to make room for Katrina animals that were coming in and that were in need of medical assistance.
Our Community
On June 12 and 13, H.A.L.O. participated in Maddie’s® Matchmaker Adoptathon.
Maddie’s Fund® is largest pet foundation in the U.S. dedicated to saving dog and cat lives. Over this past weekend they partnered with 38 animal shelters and adoption guarantee organizations in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Free adoption of dogs and cats were offered to qualified homes throughout the weekend at each participating organization as well as many PETCO, PetSmart and Pet Food Express locations. Maddie’s Fund gave each shelter/organization $500 for each adoption performed over the two day event.
We are happy to report that H.A.L.O. was able to adopt out 103 animals this weekend, 65 dogs and 38 cats. Not only do 103 animals now have new forever homes, H.A.L.O. raised over $50,000..
PETS FOR VETS - NOVEMBER 11-15, 2011
FREE Pets For VETS. Qualifying Vets will receive a free cat or dog that has been spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated.
Pets for Vets was developed in the spirit of the Maddie's Fund Adoptathon that took place in June of 2010. Understanding the importance of companionship and the healing bond between man and his furry friends, H.A.L.O. will match qualifying veterans with fitting pets at no charge. Every animal adopted to veterans has been spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated.
Due to the success of this event we hope to continue to hold it each year.
"In this way, H.A.L.O. hopes to raise awareness about pet education and promote the bond between people and animals. We work with many local organizations in creating a no-kill nation and look forward to the day when every pet has a loving home."
~ Tamara Reed, H.A.L.O. President
"There are just as many pets that are in need of loving homes as there are people in need of loving pets. This event will give us the opportunity to bring the two together."
