Pet Overpopulation Crisis

Re “Pet Overpopulation Crisis Makes Low-Cost Clinics a Necessity,” Dec. 6.

We are all in agreement that low-cost spay / neuter programs will help eliminate the pet overpopulation crisis in Ventura County. The disagreement seems to be in how to get there.

The Humane Society in Ojai believes that it must spend $400,000 to build a new facility in order to double the number of surgeries performed from 12 to 24 per day. If lack of recuperation space is the problem, why not use trailers placed in permanent positions on Humane Society property? We are not talking about operating rooms being placed in trailers, because surgical space doesn’t seem to be their concern.

The Humane Society employs one part-time veterinarian. It seems the only way to increase spay / neuter surgeries would be to hire a full-time vet. One part-time vet can’t magically double the amount of surgeries because recuperation space is increased. Incidentally, 12 more daily surgeries would not make a dent in Ventura County’s pet overpopulation.

Dr. W.M. Mackie, in his report, “Establishing and Maintaining a Low-Cost Community Spay & Neuter Clinic,” presented at the No Kill ’98 Conference, explains how to set up a low-cost clinic from the ground up for $150,000 to $200,000. Dr. Mackie’s own Animal Birth Control clinics in Los Angeles provide at least 35 spay / neuter surgeries per day.

Before the Humane Society asserts that spending $400,000 to achieve 24 spay / neuter surgeries per day is a good thing, they should reread their copy of Dr. Mackie’s report.

ANNA KUPFER, Ventura