Saving Lives Through Spay and Neuter: CAWL’s Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic at the Ute Indian Reservation

Saving Lives Through Spay and Neuter: CAWL’s Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic at the Ute Indian Reservation

October 20, 2010 Spay/Neuter 5

With the local shelter’s euthanasia rate higher than any other shelter in Colorado (77% of cats and 39% of dogs) Colorado Animal Welfare League’s (CAWL), Shelby Davis, identified an opportunity to assist. She packed up CAWL’s new mobile spay/neuter trailer along with a team of six other volunteers and headed down to the Ute Indian Reservation near Cortez in extreme Southwest Colorado.

This was CAWL’s second Free Spay/Neuter and Vaccination Clinic in Towaoc, Colorado.  The first taking place in June of this year and the second clinic happening over a long weekend in late September.

According to Davis, “The people in the area are receptive to and want spay/neuter, it’s just not affordable for the masses there”. Along with a number of animals already at the shelter, the team solicited patients in the community by passing out flyers. Davis told us that the tribe at the Ute reservation was a great help allowing the use of their shelter for the clinics, passing out flyers, and offering assistance from the shelter staff by having them open early and stay late during the clinic.

This particular clinic was staffed by the following volunteers:

The volunteer team was able to spay and/or neuter 92 animals in a two day period with all services free of charge. 63 dogs and 29 cats were sterilized. Many families were turned away and await anxiously for the next clinic scheduled for the weekend of October 30-31.

The total cost of this second clinic was $1900 which was covered by donations from Colorado Animal Rescue Express (CARE) and two private donations from CAWL board members. The expenses associated with the mobile clinic include supplies for the surgeries, vaccinations, and travel expenses for the team and the trailer.

Davis is confident that the team’s efforts are making a difference. She comments, “Towaoc, the main town on the Ute Indian Reservation, has a human population that is not very large, and the area is one where the effects of our program are measurable on the impact of pet population over time”.

CAWL will be returning the Ute Reservation for more free spay/neuter clinics. Check the News and Events section of the website and the Event Calender for the next scheduled clinic.

Donations to CAWL to assist with the costs of the program can be made on this website.

 


More Pictures from the Clinic at the Ute Reservation


5 Responses

  1. Brandy Feliciano says:

    Hi! I live in Castle Rock but would love to help in anyway I can. I am a Surgical Sales Rep so I make my own schedule…which is great for helping causes like this. I moved out here from Florida and have been spending the past couple of months trying to help the high kill shelters in GA and NC via sponsoring, cross-posting on fb and just being a voice for the poor furry babies in the rural areas of those states that really seem to have a problem. I love what you guys do here in CO, so please reach out to me if you ever need anything…I would LOVE to help with the Spay/Neuter program- it’s EXACTLY what I preach about daily…to anyone I can talk to :). I’ll be in FL next wkdn tho (so bummed now!) but def next time. Also, for anything random, please ask!
    Thanks so much,
    Brandy

  2. Lee A. says:

    Hi there,

    I would like to know where pet owners can sign up for the upcoming future free spay/neuter clinic in Shiprock, New Mexico in May.

    Thank you,
    Lee

  3. Derek B says:

    My question is the same as Mr. Lee.

    I would like to know where pet owners can sign up for the upcoming future free spay/neuter clinic in Shiprock, New Mexico in May.

    Thank you

  4. Beth Lazar @ CAWL says:

    We have added a Spay/Neuter signup form on the website under Spay/Neuter. Thank you for your interest in CAWL’s Spay/Neuter Clinics!

  5. Kathy R. says:

    I teach on the reservation in New Mexico not far from Towaoc. CAWL is an answer to prayers. The high number of starving strays is overwhelming. Litters of puppies are left along the roadside. They’re often run over by passing cars before anyone attempts to rescue them. This is the first organization to help with this growing problem. The effect of their help is already noticeable. Pet owners have been very receptive to bringing their dogs and some strays to get spayed and neutered. It’s been such a blessing.

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