Hill County Paw Pals, in collaboration with Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP), both non-profit organizations, reached a milestone this month during their 29^th service day for Paw Pals sponsored Low Cost Sterilization and Vaccination Program—the 1,000^th pet sterilization was performed!  Also, over 2,500 rabies vaccinations have been administered since the program inception date of February 15, 2005.

Our community is particularly proud of Kathy Moore, founder and director of this valuable and needed community service.  “One only needs to grasp the impact of this milestone by determining the number of unwanted pets being prevented”, says Moore.  “Had each of these 1,000 pets produced a litter of eight, then 8,000 unwanted pets have been prevented.  Had each of these offspring produced a litter then 64,000 potential unwanted pets have been prevented!” added Moore.

The volunteers who made this particular clinic another success while helping perform this milestone were Caitin Claybour (granddaughter of Diana Prince), Cleo Davis, Dana Fuchs, Randy Fuchs, Jane Green, Jean and JD Landis, Kathy Moore, Mary Lou Pearce, Diana Prince, Lea Slocum, and Lonnie Tilson.  Also pictured are Dr. Shirita Bronston, DVM, Joyce Needum, Stacey Taylor, and Barry Williams, associates from TCAP.  This low cost spay/neuter/vaccination program is an essential proactive program in Paw Pals’ efforts to correct the tragic situation of pet overpopulation in our great county.  No community has ever solved its pet overpopulation issue without a low cost service being made available.  Paw Pals provides this service on the first Tuesday each month.  Appointments for surgeries are required by calling toll free: 1-866-310-PETS (7387).  Vaccinations do not need appointments and are administered from 10am-2pm.  Paw Pals encourages pet owners to seek local veterinarians for continued professional health care of their pets.

Paw Pals organized over three years ago with two stated goals: 1) Facilitate installation of a county animal control program and promote and contribute to building a county animal shelter; and 2) Organize to challenge the overpopulation of unwanted companion animals (dog and cats) with four programs working simultaneously–Education, Legislation, Spay/Neuter, and Adoption (Project ELSA).  For more information, please call: 580-0679; or email hcpawpals@yahoo.com.