LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control's newly established program to focus on spaying and neutering pit bulls has received a big boost thanks to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Animal Care and Control Director Bill Davidson reported that his department has received a $10,000 grant from the ASPCA to help pay for the program.
In February, Davidson went to the Board of Supervisors and received unanimous support for the new reduced-cost spay/neuter program, meant to address the county's high pit bull euthanasia rate, as Lake County News has reported.
Davidson reported that Lake County's pit bull population is “excessive.”
Over the last three years pit bulls have made up 40 percent of the dogs Animal Care and Control has euthanized, he said.
Davidson's goal is to alter 250 pit bulls this year, with the services offered two days a month – one day, male dogs would be neutered at a cost of $50 per dog, with spaying of females priced at $70 each to happen on the second day.
The grant proposal was to use the $10,000 to perform 100 of the spay/neuter surgeries for free, Davidson said.
He said the Board of Supervisors approved the ASPCA grant at its March 18 meeting.
The nonprofit Lake County Animal Services also has pledged $1,000 to help pay for the program, according to Davidson.
On March 20 Animal Care and Control began its 100-dog countdown for the free surgeries, with Davidson reporting the following day that seven dogs already had been completed.
Community members who want to take advantage of the program are urged to act quickly, as Davidson believes the slots will fill up quickly.
For more information or to sign up, call Lake County Animal Care and Control, 4949 Helbush Drive, telephone 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.