artanimals

Blackie

The first arrival of the day was Blackie the Black Labrador who promptly peed in the pool that Let’s Go had set up for playtime!

As is quite often the case, most of the cats at today’s clinic were strays or abandoned cats lucky enough to have been taken in by members of their community.

Ricky & Gracie

Stacy Boerstoer’s family had three cats, but they had to re-home two of them, keeping only Faith, a beautiful chocolate point Maine Coon mix. The universe must have decided one cat was not enough for them, though, because the next day Stacy came across Gracie while out for a walk. Ricky walked himself over to Stacy’s husband, plopped down, rolled over, and gave him a look that said, “Take me, too!” So, three cats it is!

Dolly

Oakdale Farms neighbors Scott Hancox and Alan Angevine have taken in cats resulting from neighbors who are not spaying and neutering their own cats. Scott has had Dolly the Calico since she was a baby, and Alan has had Sharky since he was a kitten. Both families keep these two safe indoors.

Today we are thankful for the wonderful weather, efficient Neuter Scooter clinic team, and compassionate Norfolk citizens helping animals in need in their neighborhoods.

Mittens

The first arrival for today’s clinic was Sue McCarty with Coal and Mittens.  Both cats showed up on the McCarty’s porch last year and have taken up residence at their home. Coal was already an adult and prefers to stay outside, but Mittens was just a handful of a kitten, and the McCarty’s have been able to keep her inside with them. All of their cats have been rescues, and we are thankful they are kind enough to take on these two lucky kitties as well.

Boobie

Also assisting an animal in need was Joseph Clugston. His dog, Boobie, was abandoned at five weeks old when her family moved away, leaving her alone in the yard. A friend of Joseph’s took her in but could not afford to keep her, so now she lives with him. She is healthy and happy, up to date on her vaccines, and after today, spayed!

Jazz

Miranda Straight, too, is providing a better life for her dog, Jazz, who lived with an abusive family. The family’s neighbor, a friend of Miranda’s, intervened but could not take Jazz herself. Knowing that Miranda has a big heart and love for dogs, her friend asked her to take Jazz. He is still wary of new people but finally in a safe home.

Mario & Luigi

The last arrivals of the day were two handsome twin tabbies, Mario and Luigi. They almost didn’t make it, because their person’s car broke down. Luckily, one of our volunteers was able to pick them up for surgery.

At today’s clinic, 13 cats and 11 dogs were spayed/neutered. This success is certainly due to the commitment of residents who take responsibility for their own animals as well as the animals in need in their communities. We are also thankful for today’s wonderful SNIP clinic crew!

Chan Chan

While we often think about unwanted cats and dogs “dumped” at shelters, in some cases, they are literally thrown away: One day a woman heard meows coming from a dumpster. When she looked in, she saw two grey cats. She was close to Let’s Go Pet Care, so she stopped in to see if the staff had any ideas about what to do with them. The cats were in luck! Trista Soave, co-owner of O Jardim Brazilian Café, right next door to Let’s Go, said she would adopt them! These lucky kitties, now known as Tula and Chan Chan, were patients at this morning’s clinic.

So often this is the kind of story we hear from clinic attendees who bring cats for surgery. We are always so appreciative of the efforts made to help these cats in our target neighborhoods (and beyond).

Roxi

Of course, dogs need help, too!

Augustus Fleming obtained Roxi, who is much prettier than her picture indicates, from friends of a friend who decided to move to a home that would not allow her. Roxi was not properly socialized, so Augustus has been making sure she visits with friends’ dogs and has regular dog park outings. Roxi stays inside, but Augustus doesn’t want to take any chances of her getting pregnant, so he brought her to today’s clinic.

Thank you to all of the people and pets attending today’s clinic. Thank you, too, to the wonderful PETA clinic staff for fitting in an extra dog!

For more pictures of from this clinic, please visit our Facebook page.

Chastity

This morning we met beautiful Chastity, who found her own home, safe from where her life began: One day, the petite pit bull mix followed a neighborhood girl home. The girl’s mother, Ms. Reid, took the dog back to her owner. The next day, Chastity showed back up at the Reid’s house. She was again taken back to her owner, whose response was to tell the Reids that the dog must want to live with them. Chastity is now Ms. Reid’s baby and being cared for by a friend while she in on deployment.

Those of us in the animal welfare community recognize spring as the beginning of “kitten season,” the time of year when we start seeing kittens EVERYWHERE. We had more community cats on the surgery schedule, but one gave birth this week and another is just about to give birth. Many of today’s clinic participants have seen the results of the large population of unaltered cats.

community cats from Oakdale Farms

The Barnes family of Oakdale Farms brought two cats resulting from litters from a neighbor’s cats. The neighbor refuses to take responsibility for the cats, and as a result, there are many more than these two cats in need of care. As is the case in many of these situations, taking the simple, easy, and FREE (for residents in this community) step of spaying/neutering would have resulted in lives saved by preventing unnecessary births.

Little Dude

Hannah Harbin, our food raffle winner, brought Little Dude to be neutered. This photogenic cutie was found by Hannah’s mom.

Jessica Bates found Callie and Midnight in her backyard when they were about a month old.

Amanda Luther brought two cats, one of whom, much like Chastity, selected her own home: Lady walked onto the Luther’s property and decided to stay. She joined the Luther’s resident cat, Smokey, this morning.

We are thankful for those already participating in our clinics, but we know there are more cats and dogs (but especially cats) out there who should be fixed. If you have participated in one of our clinics, please encourage your neighbors to do so as well.

Clinic check-in

Our first Saturday clinic produced an outstanding turnout – 26 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered!

We have been enjoying this month’s location at Let’s Go Pet Care and even received referrals from them. Angel McInnis, who found out about us from Let’s Go, was scheduled to bring Joyful (both featured in picture) to be spayed. At check-in, she asked if there was an opening for her other dog, King, who is Joyful’s son.

King

Angel had prepared both for surgery, and the Neuter Scooter could fit King, so it all worked out. Joyful was named by Angel’s children. Like many pitties, she has a great smile and looked “joyful” to the children.

Bam

Carolyn Brothers brought the gorgeous Bam to be neutered. Carolyn’s neighbor, who works at a veterinarian’s office, had been trying to convince her of the many benefits of neutering for some time. Our program sealed the deal, and now Bam should be a little calmer.

Gian Petersen is certainly an advocate for spay/neuter. She has brought more than a few cats to our clinics. She finds these cats around her apartment building, where they have been abandoned. Gian had been paying for the surgeries herself, and is thankful for the help we can provide. She has been able to find homes for some of the cats.

For more pictures from today’s clinic, please visit our Facebook page.