Press Release for Sunday August 14, 2011
Dixie Day Spay
476-7122 or 618-2101
Progress toward “a no-kill community” made
High fives and hugs abounded at Dixie Day Spay when the year-end results came in from Cleveland Animal Control. ‘The results we were hoping to see in three years appear to have taken place in one year, we are thrilled’, states Dr. Michael Guedron, the low-cost spay/neuter clinic’s veterinarian. The numbers from Animal Control show that 1547 less animals entered the shelter in the past fiscal year; 272 less dogs, 214 less puppies, 324 less cats and an amazing 737 less kittens.
The numbers show even more good news. Dixie Day Spay director, Betti Gravelle, says it has taken a united effort to bring the numbers down and many factors have come into play:
* The ‘Fix Her Now’ program is definitely having a positive impact on
shelter intake. ‘Fix Her Now’ is a voucher program made possible by
generous donations from Sherry Brown in memory of her beloved dog,
Holly, who passed away at 14 years of age.
* Animal Control is now delivering adopted animals directly to
veterinarians. This ensures they are spayed or neutered and none ‘slip
through the cracks’ causing accidental litters.
* Longtime Animal Rescuer, Loraine Munker, says the number one
component to solving the animal over population crisis is spay/neuter.
‘We are wasting our resources by dipping water out of the sink, we must
turn off the faucet’. Dixie Day Spay has spayed or neutered more than
7000 animals since opening October 26, 2009.
The news from Animal Control gets even better. Not only is the number of animals coming into the shelter down, the number of animals getting out of the shelter is up.
Jennifer Martel is doing an excellent job of keeping Rescue groups abreast of the dire situation of the animals at the shelter. Last year 65 animals were taken into the safe custody of Rescue groups. That number was multiplied more than six times this year for a total of 396 going into Rescue.
Shelter Director, Gene Smith, is excited about the improvement from last year. ‘Our shelter’s transportation program, the Rescue groups’ efforts and aggressive spay/neuter programs are making a huge difference. We are very, very happy and looking forward to even greater strides in the right direction’, Smith said.
‘We are one huge step closer to becoming a no-kill community’, Gravelle states. ‘This year 32 percent or 1,843 less animals died at Animal Control. This is amazing and certainly proves we are on the right track. We must all remain diligent in our efforts, not giving up and never losing hope. A no-kill community is within our reach. We are a community who cares, a community who will one day not be killing our companion animals to make room for more. Gravelle finished by saying, ‘We at Dixie Day Spay have never felt more energized and hopeful. It’s been a very good year’.
A ‘Compassion in Action’ Celebration is being planned for late September. Dixie Day Spay will announce final plans soon.
Dixie Day Spay a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is an advocate of spay/neuter for all companion animals and feral cats in an effort to end the continuing cycle of killing pets and feral cats because of over-population. The low-cost spay/neuter clinic is located at 182 Airport Road NW in Cleveland, Tenn. For more information, visit www.dixiedogsandcats.org or call 423-476-7122 for an appointment. WE CAN BE A NO-KILL NATION.
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