Friends of Auburn/Tahoe Vista-Placer County Animal Shelter

www.animalplace.com
EXECUTIVE BOARD

Members-at-Large
Katie Aguirre
Shura Bugreeff, DVM
Mechelle Buhan
Barbara Inman
Lynn Willingham

It's been nine months since our last newsletter to you and not surprisingly there have been many changes. Most important, Pat Claerbout the new Executive Director at Placer County Animal Control resigned in April. Larry Newman has temporarily assumed the role until the position is filled.

In addition, the state mandatory spay/neuter program for all animals leaving the shelter has put additional space constraints on the facility. The four participating veterinary hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of surgeries; therefore adopted animals wait for days and sometimes as long as a week before they are sterilized and sent home. We are acting as liaison with County Officials and the Veterinary community to establish additional working relationships to expedite the adoption process.

On the brighter side, at the present time, the shelter is undergoing a much needed face lift in the front office and discussions with County Officials to accelerate the construction of a new shelter are moving forward.

I?ve saved the best news for last. A comparison of 1998 and 1999 euthanasia numbers show our hard work and collaboration with other animal groups has resulted in a 6% reduction in the number of euthanized animals. Efforts to assist the public in maintaining the animal bond with their pets remains the focus for the balance of 2000 and beyond. In 1999, 680 dogs and 1,233 cats were given up by pet owners to Placer County Animal Shelter. Our goal is to help people understand that animals are ?Friends for Life? ? their responsibility, their commitment. The number one reason for animal/human separation is ?inappropriate behavior? followed by ?moving?. We?ll continue to educate people about realistic expectations of their pet and hope that by encouraging the animal/human bond through festivals like Doggie Derby we?ll succeed at putting pets on the same plane as the rest of the family.

As always, I'll close in thanking the volunteers, County staff and Petco ? our mobile adoption partner ? for helping us achieve the impressive reduction in euthanasia. Now, let?s get back to work and continue making an impact on the rates for the year 2000.

Sincerely,
Rosemary Frieborn

The purpose of this Corporation shall be to maintain an organization of persons interested in animals and animal shelters. The goals of the Corporation shall include but not be limited to: Focusing public attention on shelter facilities and needs; to assist shelter personnel as required; to improve animal health care, increase shelter hours of operation and adoption percentages, to stimulate gifts of service, endowments, bequests and grants; and to provide community education programs.