CAPS’ low-cost spay neuter program

CAPS happily announces that our low-cost spay/neuter assistance program, SNAPS, has again been funded and is up and running. Our deepest gratitude goes out to our generous benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, for this endowment. We absolutely could not carry out this program without such funding.

As noted in our mission statement, spaying and neutering of pets is one of our most important goals. To that end, we help low-income individuals and families with low-cost spaying and neutering of their dogs and cats. Since June 2005, more than 1,900 dogs and cats have been altered through access to SNAPS and our other programs. This means that literally thousands and thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens are not euthanized in a traditional animal shelter because nobody wanted them.

To qualify for our current program (SNAPS), an applicant must provide a current photo ID with a Churchill County address and one of the following: Medicaid card, food stamp card (QUEST), a child enrolled in the NV Checkup Program, a veteran with a VA disability card or a filed IRS Form 1040 showing an adjusted gross income of $30,000 or less for 2013 or 2012 if 2013 tax forms haven’t yet been filed. (After April 15, CAPS will not accept the 2012 Form 1040.)

There is also a cash-only co-pay (that is, no checks nor credit cards) based on such things as the type of surgery and the size of the pet. To see if you qualify for the program, please call the shelter (775-423-7500) during these times: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

We cannot stress enough that you call and get all information and requirements before coming out to the shelter. To be told over the phone that you do not qualify will save your time and fuel for your car. If your pets are already spayed/neutered, thank you! We also ask that you spread the word about the importance of this issue.

In other CAPS media, be sure to visit our website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). The website is filled with all sorts of information, and Facebook features the day-to-day life at the shelter. For example, some of our more-talented shelter guests share their journal entries with readers. At both sites, you just might meet your next best friend.

By the way, have you bought your 2014 Happy Endings calendar yet? A bargain at only $10, all of its proceeds go directly to the dogs and cats in our care. The calendar can also be purchased at the shelter (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and these fine merchants: Mutts, etc.; The UPS Store; Red Zinnia; The Family Pet Connection; and Flower Tree Nursery.

Well, then. I’ve run out of CAPS’ newest news, but I have a little more space to fill. (This doesn’t often happen; I usually have to cut copy, and it still runs a little long). So I’ll finish up this week’s column with a few interesting cat and dog facts gathered at various, reliable online sites.

The first cat in space was a French cat named Felicette (aka “Astrocat”). In 1963 France blasted the cat into outer space. Electrodes implanted in her brain sent neurological signals back to Earth. She survived the trip.

Dogs have three eyelids. The third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” keeps the eye lubricated and protected.

A commemorative tower was built in Scotland for a cat named Towser, who caught nearly 30,000 mice in her lifetime.

During the Middle Ages, Great Danes and Mastiffs were sometimes suited with armor and spiked collars to enter a battle or to defend supply caravans.

In the original Italian version of Cinderella, the benevolent fairy godmother figure was a cat.

The earliest European images of dogs are found in Spanish cave paintings dating back 12,000 years ago.

This week’s article was contributed by Betty Duncan, a member of the CAPS board of directors.