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Show 8 M)fteOStOflS B1 Wednesday, October 3, 2007 ) - -. i Veterinarian Tanya Kjeldsberg Br Mm EBcwa Express Writer Too many dogs, too many cats. The problem of pet overpopulation overpopula-tion is not an animal problem, it's a people problem. Too many irresponsible pet owners. Monday morning, however, a raft of responsible pet owners brought their animals to the Big Fix mobile spay and neuter clinic at Milt's Ace Hardware in Vernal. Operated by the No More Homeless Home-less Pets Utah organization, The Big Fix clink brings reduced cost - spay; and neuteringjurgerie8 statewide.' Theybegan In rfuly, 2000 "to promote pet adoption adop-tion and spayneuter surgeries throughout the state, according to their website at http:www. utahpets.org. ; Litter after litter, the county faces an increasing problem of unwanted animals. They end up abandoned on the streets or fill the animal shelters. An estimated one-third of homeless animals are rescued or adopted to new homes. Still, most are humanely put-down, despite a general dislike for euthanasia because there are just not enough homes. Uintah County has spent thousands of dollars controlling unwanted animals. Nuisance calls, dog bite complaints and livestock harassment calls have increased three times this year over last. One solution to pet overpopulation is spaying and neutering pets. "I don't want any more puppies," pup-pies," said Kay Gregory, as she stood in The Big Fix check-in line with Annie, a youthful boxer pitbull female, sitting calmly at her feet. "And, I sure don't want strays coming around." , Unspayed female dogs are at risk for injury or exposure to life-threatening disease. And unaltered male dogs are more likely to suffer injury or death while prowling neighborhoods at night. Neither is a pretty end to a cherished pet. Altered pets wander less, fight less, have fewer, health problems and most of all, do not reproduce. "I always do this. It's the right thing to do," explained Loran Hills. Hills has ablue-eyed ablue-eyed Siamese-mix Siamese-mix feline by the name of Jack in a carrier. car-rier. Jack has planted himself well into the back of the carrier, car-rier, not certain this is such a EisimltpewlentlywnopBated. Mi V AportOBx A portion x of way akk domtedtothe WMWest 1 ChldraftMinde " Hwy.40,SteF Network. 435 Outtandno. Agents. Outstandbtg Rente .. $ - - 'I i .. ; I "'' '., "I ! J" ' v ' Hi- works on a patient in the Big Fix good idea. Cats and dogs can be fixed as early as eight months in age, but even animals that have had a litter can still be spayed or. neutered. Cats can mate early in life, perhaps as early as six months, which is a big reproductive reproduc-tive potential for just one fertile feline. The word is getting out and it appears people are listening. listen-ing. Monday's Big Fix clinic in Vernal was completely booked as responsible pet owners lined parking lot, patients in hand. "We d been planning to get it doni, adQIIWMctSure and Sidnee Hall together. Jazz, a female pitbull mix is restlessly rest-lessly moving about their feet. Post-operation most animals are healthier and less prone to aggressive behavior. "I think her nervous energy will lessen." "The turn-out has been exceptional," ex-ceptional," said Sandy Hansen. "There were 45 pre-registered patients and two walk-ins. The two walk-ins were for four feral n , Infelicitous felines arrive at the check in and quickly make their dissatisfaction known to the waiting crowd. Pet owners arrive in the parking lot at Milt's Ace Hardware in Vernal with animals for the Big Fix check-in on a cool Monday morning. maLUW - 781 - 2500 v.. . s v. "' "(V I mobile operating theater. Photo credit Ellen Welsh. cat alterings." Spaying and neutering costs vary from on vet clinic to another. The Big Fix is usually half the price of local clinics. A female cat may cost as much as $35, a female dog $55. Male cats and dogs are usually $10. The price is small compared to the health of the animal and the prevention of more unwanted pets. Almost as important as sterilization ster-ilization surgeries, the Big Fix also provides pet vaccinations. Cats and dogs can receive rabies and distemper shots and feline . leukemia shots are also available. ' ' - Even inicrochipe we available which will list your pet on a nationwide registry. After Vernal, the Big Fix headed to Roosevelt and Duchesne. Duch-esne. Everyyear,28,000animalsare destroyed in Utah's animal shel ters because the are unwanted. Many are perfectly healthy animals. ani-mals. The Big Fix is working to end the tragic practice one pet at a time. I BtaHtJMbuidkttoMacsefliCeaBiHNieol -Heights. 21 of an m in a oi-dc-sac PMd road with curb and gutter CalJanSliarpttMOOO Of Composed, Annie, a boxer pitbull to enter the mobile clinic. 4., '; .:-'AJj f ' I t r f ' ' I 5 1 ' j c k. i "j.-"!. r i Big Fix veterinarian Dr. Dave Sweeney performs surgery on a patient in the mobile unit. Photo credit Ellen Welsh. ' r ut r- A little pup decides he's heard enough and is ready to leave. Photo credit Linda West - 1 CD ' w - - Very wtl maintained bedroom, 1 bath Dqte located ki a nice neighborhood. Up and down floor plan, brick and stucco, sprinUng system, W parking, and in great condWon. CalRonlat7904244 DOS mix puppy, awaits her turn i0 , ... j fcr k,."w7.v or to find frea ssrvices avs'isble in the Uintah Basin. October Bluebell Com Maze, Monsen Farm, Bluebell. Through the month. 7-acre 7-acre maze. Contact 454-3752. 454-3752. Golden Age Center Dances, 155 S. 100 W. Vernal. Every Friday night 8 to 10 p.m. All are welcome. Call Modena for more information at 789-4976. 789-4976. TOPS meets Thursday at the city offices, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Community Bible Study at the home of Dave Jolley every Monday evening at 7 p.m. For more information 789-2305. j , Fall Kundalini Yoga classes. Wednesdays 6-7:30 6-7:30 p.m. Call Maragret 781-8711 for more information. Vernal Family History Center classes every Wednesday. Call 789-3618 789-3618 for times. Western Heritage Museum, Juried Photography Show, Uintah Arts Council. All month on display. Call 789-1352. October 3 Big Fix - Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic at Roy Park, Duchesne. Call 866-738-7349 or go to www. utahpets.org to make an appointment. Beginning Spanish Class, 6 to 7 p.m., in the multipurpose room of the Uintah County Library. Call April McRae 789-0091 789-0091 ext. 21. October 4 American Sign Language Class: Intro to ASL. Uintah County Library. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Call Ruth or Travas Young at 789-6785. , I October 5 uur annual Bane Srtef Fitfey t tore Museum, 500 W. 200 S., Vernal. Stock up on goodies for that hunt trip. Octobers Blessing of the Animals at St Paul's Episcopla Church, 226 W. Main, Vernal. Starts at 10 a.m. All are welcome, bring your pets. FREE Landfill Day, 8 am to 4 pm. Yard waste only AND remember to TARP YOUR LOAD! International Piano Champion Kirill Gliadkovsky Concert at Uintah High School., 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Uintah Arts Council. Tickets available at Davis Jubilee or Bitter Creek Books or call 888-240-2080. . ' October 7-1 3 National Wildlife Refuge Week, events at the Ouray NWR. Visit free Ouray NWR friom sunrise to sunset, Monday - Sunday. Call 545-2522 ext. 11, October 8 $5 Jewelry Sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., downstairs conference room of the Ashley Regional Medical Center. Sponsored by the Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary. October 13 . 1st Annual Uintah County Emergency Preparedness EXPO at Western Park, opens 10 a.m. sponsored by the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce. October 14 Singles 31 Pot Luck, 5 p.m. at Vernal 2nd & 4th Ward Cultural Hall, 600 S. 235 E., Vernal. Call 789-5452 789-5452 (days) or 789-8364 (evenings). fa )! wart atari hrOtot biiiwibiwMoirtatczryirit |
