Overflowing animal houses
Oct 22, 2009 | 850 views | 0 
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Shelters struggle to keep up in an economy that’s hard on pets
Forget diamond-adorned collars and Burberry pet carriers — in a still-struggling economy, many residents of Stanislaus County, wrangling to pay their mortgages and grocery bills, are finding pet ownership itself to be an unaffordable luxury.
That’s why officials at the county’s main animal shelter in Modesto — already bursting with 155 more animals than its maximum capacity — expect last year’s shelter population of 22,000 to jump to about 24,000 this year, said Andy Fiskum, staff services coordinator for the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services.
“Right now, we’re in a situation where more and more people are losing their homes and are faced with surrendering their animals to us when they can no longer take care of them or afford them,” he said. “It’s no secret that we’re overcrowded. The economy is definitely affecting us, and we’re just trying to keep up.”
And just like other county-funded organizations, Fiskum said, the shelter has seen a 10 percent cut to its budget in addition to a considerable decrease in tax revenue and donations.
“We have had to cut back significantly in our day-to-day operations,” he said. “We’re trying to be more fiscally responsible than before and get the best bang for our buck, so to speak.”
Augusta Farley, owner of Best Friends Pet Resort in Patterson — which mainly provides boarding and training services for dogs but also has a small rescue and re-homing program — said she has felt the effects of the economy on her own business and in the community, as well.
“There’s no question pets are suffering from the economy,” Farley said. “I get calls daily from people complaining about dogs that are running loose and (asking) if I can come get them.
“Maybe the state of the economy has finally begun to make people realize the problem we have with the growing animal population and strays in our area, or maybe they’re just noticing it more now.”
In an effort to combat the overpopulation problem, plans for a new $11 million animal shelter on county land near Crows Landing Road and Cornucopia Way are in the works.
Final plans are scheduled to go later this month before the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, which could give the green light to begin construction of the 33,360-square-foot center — set to serve Modesto, Ceres, Hughson, Patterson and Waterford — as early as December, Fiskum said.
Meanwhile, the county shelter strongly recommends that owners vaccinate and spay or neuter their pets to prevent further disease and overpopulation.
Fiskum said that, on average, only 2 percent of surrendered animals are brought to the Modesto shelter already spayed or neutered, which he said explains why the shelter has received 2,338 kittens in just the past three months as the number of feral cats in the area continues to skyrocket.
Local veterinarians, such as Dr. Robyn Herman of Patterson Veterinary Hospital, have also voiced their concerns.
“People have got to be more responsible with their pets,” Herman said. “When you wait to get your pet vaccinated or spayed and neutered, not only do you put them at more of a risk, but most times it turns out to be about 50 percent more expensive to take care of later rather than sooner.
“These are key preventative measures to ensure happier pets and owners.”
• Contact Kendall Wright at 892-6187 or kendall@pattersonirrigator.com. Adopt a pet Stanislaus County Animal Shelter
• LOCATION: 2846 Finch Road, in Modesto
• PHONE: 558-7387
• HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• COST: For dogs, $90 plus license (includes rabies shot, vaccination, microchip and spay/neuter). For cats, $45 (includes rabies shot, vaccination, microchip, spay/neuter and feline leukemia virus test).
Best Friends Pet Resort
• LOCATION: 2631 Olive Ave., in Patterson
• PHONE: 892-3114
• HOURS: 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to noon Sunday; or by appointment.
• ON THE WEB: To adopt or donate, visit www.westsideanimalsforadoption.webs.com.
Turlock Animal Control
• LOCATION: 801 S. Walnut Road, in Turlock
• PHONE: 668-5550
• HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays and holidays.
• COST: For dogs, $88 (includes city license, rabies shot, microchip, vaccination and spay/neuter). For cats, $45 (includes microchip, first vaccination, rabies shot and spay/neuter).
• TO DONATE: Mail tax deductible contributions to the city of Turlock, c/o Animal Services, 900 N. Palm, Turlock 95380.
Forget diamond-adorned collars and Burberry pet carriers — in a still-struggling economy, many residents of Stanislaus County, wrangling to pay their mortgages and grocery bills, are finding pet ownership itself to be an unaffordable luxury.
That’s why officials at the county’s main animal shelter in Modesto — already bursting with 155 more animals than its maximum capacity — expect last year’s shelter population of 22,000 to jump to about 24,000 this year, said Andy Fiskum, staff services coordinator for the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services.
“Right now, we’re in a situation where more and more people are losing their homes and are faced with surrendering their animals to us when they can no longer take care of them or afford them,” he said. “It’s no secret that we’re overcrowded. The economy is definitely affecting us, and we’re just trying to keep up.”
And just like other county-funded organizations, Fiskum said, the shelter has seen a 10 percent cut to its budget in addition to a considerable decrease in tax revenue and donations.
“We have had to cut back significantly in our day-to-day operations,” he said. “We’re trying to be more fiscally responsible than before and get the best bang for our buck, so to speak.”
Augusta Farley, owner of Best Friends Pet Resort in Patterson — which mainly provides boarding and training services for dogs but also has a small rescue and re-homing program — said she has felt the effects of the economy on her own business and in the community, as well.
“There’s no question pets are suffering from the economy,” Farley said. “I get calls daily from people complaining about dogs that are running loose and (asking) if I can come get them.
“Maybe the state of the economy has finally begun to make people realize the problem we have with the growing animal population and strays in our area, or maybe they’re just noticing it more now.”
In an effort to combat the overpopulation problem, plans for a new $11 million animal shelter on county land near Crows Landing Road and Cornucopia Way are in the works.
Final plans are scheduled to go later this month before the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, which could give the green light to begin construction of the 33,360-square-foot center — set to serve Modesto, Ceres, Hughson, Patterson and Waterford — as early as December, Fiskum said.
Meanwhile, the county shelter strongly recommends that owners vaccinate and spay or neuter their pets to prevent further disease and overpopulation.
Fiskum said that, on average, only 2 percent of surrendered animals are brought to the Modesto shelter already spayed or neutered, which he said explains why the shelter has received 2,338 kittens in just the past three months as the number of feral cats in the area continues to skyrocket.
Local veterinarians, such as Dr. Robyn Herman of Patterson Veterinary Hospital, have also voiced their concerns.
“People have got to be more responsible with their pets,” Herman said. “When you wait to get your pet vaccinated or spayed and neutered, not only do you put them at more of a risk, but most times it turns out to be about 50 percent more expensive to take care of later rather than sooner.
“These are key preventative measures to ensure happier pets and owners.”
• Contact Kendall Wright at 892-6187 or kendall@pattersonirrigator.com. Adopt a pet Stanislaus County Animal Shelter
• LOCATION: 2846 Finch Road, in Modesto
• PHONE: 558-7387
• HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• COST: For dogs, $90 plus license (includes rabies shot, vaccination, microchip and spay/neuter). For cats, $45 (includes rabies shot, vaccination, microchip, spay/neuter and feline leukemia virus test).
Best Friends Pet Resort
• LOCATION: 2631 Olive Ave., in Patterson
• PHONE: 892-3114
• HOURS: 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to noon Sunday; or by appointment.
• ON THE WEB: To adopt or donate, visit www.westsideanimalsforadoption.webs.com.
Turlock Animal Control
• LOCATION: 801 S. Walnut Road, in Turlock
• PHONE: 668-5550
• HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays and holidays.
• COST: For dogs, $88 (includes city license, rabies shot, microchip, vaccination and spay/neuter). For cats, $45 (includes microchip, first vaccination, rabies shot and spay/neuter).
• TO DONATE: Mail tax deductible contributions to the city of Turlock, c/o Animal Services, 900 N. Palm, Turlock 95380.
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