LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The “Catsnip” program, run by local vets to help reduce the county’s cat euthanasia rate, has ended.
Veterinarian Dr. Susan Cannon of Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport said Lake County veterinarians formed the Catsnip spay and neuter program in January of 2012 for feral and unowned cats.
Participating clinics agreed to spay and neuter two cats per week at no charge in an attempt to help reduce the county's cat euthanasia rate, which is the highest in the state, Cannon said.
The program ended as of Dec. 31, 2012. Cannon said a total of 253 surgeries were performed.
Participating in the program were Middletown Animal Hospital, Animal Hospital of Clearlake, Clearlake Veterinary Clinic, Main Street Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport and Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic.
The program represented the first trap, neuter and release program in Lake County, Cannon said. Similar programs have been used throughout the country to help reduce the number of unwanted cats.
Lake County Animal Care and Control has received grant money to run a similar program through the shelter's spay/neuter facility, which was constructed last year.
In order to qualify the cats must be unowned strays or “community cats.”
For more information regarding the Lake County Animal Care and Control trap, neuter and release program call 707-263-0278.