July 28th, 2010
Two grants to aid animal shelter

SUBMITTED REPORT

Cats and dogs in San Marcos have an improved chance at better health with the receipt by the San Marcos Animal Shelter of a grant to fund immunizations for shelter cats and a state grant for a spay and neuter program.

The Animal Shelter, which serves San Marcos, Kyle and Hays County, will receive $7,500 from Petfinder.com Foundation to fund a feline herpesvirus, Feline calicivirus and Feline panlukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine program.

“This grant is expected to pay for vaccinations for as many as 2,000 cats that come through our shelter,” said Bert Stratemann, Animal Services Manager. “These are treatable illnesses and protecting cats at intake can reduce the chances of the diseases spreading through the facility and improve our ability to put them up for adoption.”

The Petfinder grant comes from its Care and Feeding fund made possible through online giving programs. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of homeless cats that are euthanized by reducing the outbreak of feline viruses.

In addition, the Animal Shelter has been notified that the City will receive a renewal of a $20,000 grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services for the shelter’s spay and neuter program.

The program assists low income residents in paying for spaying and neutering of their pets to prevent overpopulation and to reduce the number of abandoned cats and dogs. The state grant is funded through the Texas Animal Friendly License Plate program. The grant will take effect September 1 and the shelter will announce when vouchers become available.

The San Marcos Animal Shelter is located at 750 River Road in San Marcos. For more information on the programs, contact the shelter at 512-805-2650.

— FROM THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS/MELISSA MILLECAM