Spay/Neuter Reduces Overpopulation

Spay and Neuter reduces the cycle of overpopulation on the Ute and Navajo reservations. It’s hard not to notice the animals in need on the Ute and Navajo reservations in Colorado, Utah and Arizona. From the skinny horses on the side of the road to the pregnant dogs roaming the McDonald’s parking lot, but the need goes far beyond what can be seen from the road. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Every year, five million animals of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

The need in these communities is great and the Telluride Animal Foundation is very involved in helping to stop the cycleof overpopulation on the Ute and Navajo reservations. The Telluride Animal Foundation sponsored the Soul Dog Rescue Clinic in March 2012 where 187 animals were sterilized. Soul Dog was started by Shelby Davis who currently works for the ASPCA as their national director of spay and neuter operations. As an animal welfare organization, Soul Dog’s major focus is on the importance of spay/neuter as a means for controlling the rampant animal overpopulation which leads to the euthanization of five million animals each year. Soul Dog’s foray into this area has been with the many free spay/neuter clinics offered at the various Indian reservations in the four corners area of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

The March event was so successful that the Telluride Animal Foundation has continued its support of Soul Dog and will be sponsoring the next clinic on May 18, 19 and 20 in Towaoc, Colorado – Ute Reservation. For more information about Soul Dog or to volunteer for any of their upcoming clinics go to www.souldog.org, volunteers and donations are needed.