Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Lost is found for Medford car lot victimized by thefts ... Rogue Farm Corps raises the next generation of farmers ... Some iPads stolen from Kids Unlimited recovered ... Lost is found for Medford car lot victimized by thefts ... Rogue Farm Corps raises the next generation of farmers ... Some iPads stolen from Kids Unlimited recovered ... SERVICE AWARD SNYP president fights pet overpopulation Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 3:55 PM Updated Jun 29, 2016 at 6:01 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 3:55 PM Updated Jun 29, 2016 at 6:01 PM » Social News The pet overpopulation problem affects every corner of Jackson County, according to Sally Mackler, president of the local organization Spay/Neuter Your Pet. Overpopulation of feral cats, which don't allow humans to handle them, is particularly difficult to address, she said. "It's everywhere — in every parking lot, field and neighborhood," she said. "It's a tragedy and one we created. They're paying the price for it." Mackler was given Jackson County's Community Service Award Wednesday for her unflagging determination to fight pet overpopulation. She has been with SNYP since 1998 and also volunteers with other groups to help animals. SNYP promotes spaying and neutering of cats and dogs, often helping people pay for discounted surgeries that stop their pets from reproducing. "Every cat we fix means thousands won't be born to suffer," Mackler said. According to SNYP, a female cat can begin breeding at 4 months old, and can become pregnant again while still nursing. One cat and her offspring can produce more than 2,000 cats in four years. In addition to helping pet owners, SNYP is aiding cats that are abandoned, feral or born to feral mothers through its Trap-Neuter-Return program. Volunteers help neighbors trap feral cats and local veterinarians operate on the animals, which are then returned to their home turf after recovering from surgery. Often well-meaning people who feed stray cats inadvertently create feral cat colonies. "If you care about animals, please be responsible and take the initiative and fix not only your pets, but those in your neighborhood, as well," Mackler said. "If you're kind enough to feed them, please fix them. We will help you. Please call us." Trap-Neuter-Return programs can be controversial, but Mackler said spaying, neutering and returning cats helps stop feral cat colonies from growing out of control. If feral cats are removed permanently from a neighborhood, other cats move in and claim the empty area as their new territory, she said. Mackler thanked local veterinarians for their help in dealing with animal overpopulation. "We get great support from the veterinary community," she said. "They're very, very generous and supportive." In May, seven veterinarians, seven veterinary technicians and 35 volunteers helped spay and neuter 65 cats during a Feral Fix-a-Thon. During July, SNYP and Friends of the Animal Shelter have teamed up to offer $10 certificates to fix male cats. The discount certificates are available at Pet Country, 2833 N. Pacific Highway, Medford; South Medford Grange Co-op, 2531 S. Pacific Highway, Medford; Mini Pet Mart, 1081 Stewart Ave., Medford; Central Point Grange Co-op, 225 S. Front St., Central Point; White City Grange Co-op, 8205 Crater Lake Highway, White City; and Ashland Grange Co-op, 421 A. St., Ashland. Mackler said people often overlook the importance of neutering male cats as well as females. "It takes two to tango. Males can impregnate many, many females," she said. "Neutering a male cat is also better for its health. They don't stray or develop behaviors that aren't neighborly, like spraying, yowling, fighting and roaming. Roaming puts them in the teeth of dogs and under the wheels of cars." For more information and assistance from SNYP, call the organization's help line at 541-858-3325 or see spayneuter.org . Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 3:55 PM Updated Jun 29, 2016 at 6:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501