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When "low cost" isn't enough




"Low cost" is great, but "free" is better. Especially when it comes to animal care. Many people love their pets, have good intentions, but can't always afford the necessities. That doesn't mean someone who has trouble affording regular pet care costs shouldn't own an animal.

Lack of affordability can lead to more animals in shelters; Because the owner couldn't afford proper identification, spay/neuter, or vaccinations for example. We want to keep these pets in their home, while making sure they get what they need. 

Santa Cruz County has a mandatory Spay/Neuter ordinance, but no longer have a clinic for county residents. 

 If you're going to require a procedure, doesn't it make sense to make it free? The resources are there, yet it still isn't free. If spay and neuter is free, there's no reason NOT to do it! Your pet benefits, animals in shelters benefit, and it will save your wallet in the long run! 

The same goes for vaccinations and microchipping. Rabies vaccinations are required (cheaper to get done at the shelter, than the mobile clinics), but do come at a cost. Other vaccinations, for Parvovirus for example, are so important for the health of your dog or puppy. Parvo is deadly, and expensive to treat. Prevention is the best medicine! This also applies to testing for cats for AIDs and Leukemia.

There are some cases where folks can't even afford to SN their pets, (see above) let alone feed them. So is it fair to punish the pets of folks who cannot afford to SN? Or be made to feel like they are committing a crime because of lack of affordability? If someone cannot even afford to feed their unaltered pet, what makes you think they'd be able to pay the nominal fees? Not to mention, how many people have proof of SN of all of their pets? Alienating pet owners does NOT keep them out of shelters, it fills them. If you're going to offer something for "free," make it free for EVERYONE. 
BAD RAP's "Keep 'Em Home" project

Santa Cruz Dogs aims to do much of what BAD RAP has accomplished; Keeping pets in their homes by utilizing FREE services. Other amazing organizations have also jumped on the "free" bandwagon such as Downtown Dog Rescue, North Central Shelter Intervention Program, and Beyond Breed. 

We're getting our stuff together in order to receive donations to get the ball rolling. These donations will go straight towards a Spay/Neuter, vaccination, and microchip fund. In addition to free services, we also hope to provide food and supplies to those who need it. We're currently in talks with local nonprofits to partner and support this project.

If you are interested in volunteering, or want to help us reach our goal, contact us! We'd love to hear from you!

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