Our four-legged friends are a part of the family, and there\u2019s two new programs to help some Ventura County residents with the costs of pet ownership.<\/p>\n
Keeping pets homed with their families is the aim of\u00a0Santa Paula dyrev\u00e6rnscenter<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n S.P.A.R.C.<\/i>‘s Director & CEO, Lance Hunter says two new programs will directly benefit the residents and pets of Santa Paula.<\/p>\n Den\u00a0Free Spay\/Neuter<\/i>\u00a0program and\u00a0Emergency Relief Fund<\/i>, are essential elements of their “No-Kill” mission, Hunter told KCLU.<\/p>\n “We have to address the over-population problem in our community,” he said. “I think this will help dramatically, especially as sometimes the cost of having your dog neutered could be a huge barrier.”<\/p>\n Santa Paula Rescue Center (S.P.A.R.C.) received a grant funding to launch the two programs.<\/p>\n Den\u00a0Free spay\/neuter<\/i>\u00a0program, sponsored by S.P.A.R.C, in partnership with the Simi Valley Non-Profit Spay and Neuter clinic is made possible through a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF.)<\/p>\n \u201cWe know we have to address the overpopulation problem in our community,\u201d said Hunter. \u201cMore and more unwanted animals are being brought into the shelter every day, and it\u2019s not just here. Dogs and cats are dying every day in shelters all over California and S.P.A.R.C. is dedicated to changing that.\u201d<\/p>\n A mobile spay\/neuter unit will offer their services one day per month in the S.P.A.R.C. parking lot.<\/p>\n Santa Paula residents must call (805) 584-3823 to schedule an appointment. Space is limited.<\/p>\n The second program, made possible by a grant from the City of Santa Paula, is an\u00a0Emergency Relief Fund<\/i>\u00a0set up to help community members in need with critical pet expenses that they cannot afford.<\/p>\n The goal is to keep pets happy and healthy in their homes, together with their families. An application is available on S.P.A.R.C.\u2019s website:\u00a0www.santapaulaarc.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pandemic has affected everyone, and the suffering has been great. The Emergency Relief Fund was established to help heal our community and keep families together,\u201d said Kaja Gula-Thomas, Grant Writer\/Marketing Specialist for S.P.A.R.C.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n