Make a difference in the lives of animals

As Lake County residents prepare to take part in “Make a Difference Day” this coming Saturday, I hope they will consider ways that they can make a difference daily in the lives of companion animals.

Sunday marked National Feral Cat Day, an annual observance that draws attention to the plight of feral cats. This observance resonates with me because nearly all of the cats who shared my life were on their own before living with me. The joy and love that I derive from these animals’ companionship is worth the responsibility of caring for them for their entire lives.

While I was shelving books on Saturday at the Middletown Library, director Gehlen Palmer gave me a printout from the Marin Independent Journal. Written by Janet Williams with Marin Friends of Ferals, it highlighted the difference that caring people can make by trapping feral cats and then having them spayed and neutered.

“Sometimes it may seem we’re barely making headway, but every altered cat means dozens less living on the streets,” Williams said.

In Lake County, there are low-cost programs to help low-income families with the cost of spaying or neutering an animal. For more information, contact the SPCA of Clear Lake, located at 8025 Highway 29 near Kit’s Corner between Kelseyville and Lower Lake, 279-1400; and the Animal Coalition of Lake County, accessible by asking for Rita at From Me 2 You on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, 995-0552.

Lake County Animal Care and Control promotes a barn cat program for feral animals who could not otherwise be adopted. These cats can work controlling rats and mice as a natural alternative to the use of poisonous chemicals — surely a healthier alternative for felines and humans alike.

According to the website for Animal Care and Control, there is a $60 fee to adopt a barn cat. The fee covers the spay or neuter surgery as well as the annual and rabies vaccine.

Animal Care and Control also has adoptable companion animals in need of a permanent home. The Adopt-a-Pet feature that is published on Saturdays in the Lake County Record-Bee highlights some of these animals. Many more can be viewed online or — better yet — met in person during shelter hours, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush north of Lakeport. For more information about adopting an animal, call 263-0278 or send an email to cassiet@co.lake.ca.us.

Even those residents who do not feel prepared to give a home to an animal can help finance low-cost spay and neuter surgeries.

The Animal Coalition will host its annual Halloween costume dinner and dance, 5 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 East Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks. The cost of tickets is $20 in advance and $25 at the door if available.

The event will include a costume contest, raffle, silent auction, dinner and live music by Twice as Good.

Tickets can be purchased at From Me 2 U, 995-0552; and Marie’s Lakeshore Feed & Grain, 994-5398. Both stores are located on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

Tickets to the event are also available at the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks.

For more information about animal care issues and to view animals available for adoption, visit www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

Published Oct. 18, 2011 in the Lake County Record-Bee