Animal lovers ensure Tahoe pets are cared for
By Kathryn Reed
Pets are often a barometer for how the economy is doing. In good times people fill their homes with four-legged family members, while in bad times shelters are what get filled up.
From 2006 to 2011 all pet ownership decreased 2.4 percent, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Cat ownership decreased 6.2 percent and dog ownership declined 1.9 percent in that time span.
Humane societies on both ends of Lake Tahoe are selling 2013 pet calendars as a fundraiser.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says more than 2 million dogs enter U.S. shelters each year. While there are a variety of reasons why animals wind up in shelters, not being able to afford their care is on the list.
Sometimes there aren’t even scraps for four legged family members.
As the economy sputters to regain stability, pet food can be the last item on the grocery list – assuming it even makes the list.
Humane societies on both ends of the lake would rather help people be able to keep their pets than have them wind up at a shelter. That is why there are food pantries for animals.
“The Lake Tahoe Humane Society has always maintained a community pet food bank for pet owners in financial difficulty (lost a job for example), seniors in financial difficulty and folks waiting for assistance, for clients of other agencies (such as Tahoe Youth & Family Services, Live Violence Free, mental health) who may be transient or in life change/crisis situations, etc.,” Dawn Armstrong, executive director of the South Lake Tahoe humane society chapter told Lake Tahoe News. “During and after the Angora Fire, we maintained a large cache of food and supplies available to all community members for almost a full year.”
Donations are accepted at the Emerald Bay Road office or at the shelter in Meyers, but it must be designated for the LTHS food bank if dropped off at the shelter.
The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s Pet Pantry’s slogan is “Give what you can, take what you need.” This program collects pet food and distributes it to needy families and their pets in the Truckee-Tahoe area.
Through the holidays the Safeway in Truckee and Kings Beach have collection barrels for pet food. Year-round there are barrels at the Pet Station and Scraps Dog Bakery in Truckee.
The shelter in Truckee keeps all those animals on the same food.
The El Dorado County shelter in Meyers accepts a variety of donations, with the following on its current wish list: peanut butter for kong toys, dog collars, cat and kitten food, cat beds, cat toys, dog toys, and scoopable cat litter.
Both humane societies are selling 2013 pet calendars as a way to raise money for their respective programs. Money helps pay for food when the pantry is bare. It also helps people during disasters, like the Angora Fire. The Truckee facility is also still raising money for the shelter that is under construction.
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Contact info:
• South Lake Tahoe Humane Society
Phone: (530) 542.2857
Address: 1221 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe
• El Dorado County Animal Shelter, Meyers
Phone: (530) 573.7925
Address: 1120 Shakori Drive, Meyers
• Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe
Phone: (530) 587.5948
Address: 10720 Riverview Drive, Truckee
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Notes:
• Dogs With Issues will give one free dog training session for any puppy or dog rescued during this month or in January. Call (530) 577.0263 for an appointment.
• Lake Tahoe News is making its final holiday donation to the animal shelter in Meyers. New paid subscribers have helped LTN be able to give back to human food pantries, and now we are helping the animals of Tahoe. Here is a paid subscriber form if you would like to join the special NEWS team and be eligible for specials.
• Each Monday Lake Tahoe News publishes Tahoe Tails — an item provided by Karen Kuentz from the Meyers shelter about a dog or cat that needs adopting.