Hill Country Animal League Receives $101,840 Grant from PetSmart Charities®
December 12, 2011
The Hill Country Animal League’s (HCAL) mission is to help eliminate the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats in the greater Kendall County area by providing low cost spay/neuter services, animal adoptions and public education. Across the United States, estimates have been made indicating that between 10 and 20 million unwanted pets are euthanized every year. Several million animals starve to death, are shot, killed on highways or meet some other unsavory end annually.
Almost everyone recognizes that this is a tragic situation, but fewer have an appreciation for the many other consequences of homeless pet overpopulation. Animal control programs stemming from over population are very costly to society from stray dogs that inflict harm on others, costly animal control programs and the multitudes of un-owned animals that contribute significantly to sanitation problems in our cities and roam our rural areas.
Hill Country Animal League (HCAL) has received a two year $101,840 grant to increase the number of spay/neuter surgeries within Bandera County. This special Bandera County Project was made possible by the generosity of PetSmart Charities®. Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities®, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.
As the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities® has provided more than $134 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 4.5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities® is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).
The Hill Country Animal League SPCA Inc. has been serving pets and their owners in this community since 1986. Having opened their Spay and Neuter operation in 2006 with multiple vets and the own caring staff, HCAL now serves the greater Hill Country area and northern Bexar County. HCAL twenty five year old pet sterilization program successfully alters more than 6500 pets per year, on average, to proactively fight the Hill Country homeless-pet overpopulation. Multiagency pet adoptions are also held on weekends at various locations in the area.
This special HCAL Bandera County Spay/Neuter Initiative will offer free spay/neuter services for owned pets whose owner resides in Bandera County. Proof of residency will be required before the provision of this service at the HCAL Clinic in Boerne, Texas. Appointments will be required on Monday through Thursday in order to accommodate all who are interested. Please call HCAL between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at 830-249-2341 to make an appointment for your dog or cat. Low cost sterilization services are also provided for those who reside outside of Bandera County through the HCAL programs.
Alma Aguirre, HCAL Int. Executive Director commented, “HCAL is very happy to be able to provide this service to Bandera County in partnership with PetSmart Charities®. This special Bandera County Spay/Neuter Initiative will help stop the proliferation of homeless pets and promote long and healthy relationships between people in Bandera County and their cats and dogs. HCAL is very proud of having been chosen for this grant award.”
In the continental United States alone, more than 50,000 puppies and kittens are born each day. For every pet with a place he can happily call home, there are 4 companion animals that are homeless, neglected or abused. You can help stop pet proliferation by being a responsible pet owner and having your pets spay/neutered. Bandera County residents are being asked to help HCAL serve you by bringing your pets to our Clinic at 924 North Main Street, Boerne, Texas 78006 for our spay/neuter services and by being our advocate to your friends and neighbors so that the Bandera County community if informed about this opportunity. The overall goal of HCAL is to help reduce the number of breeding animals in an effort to decrease the number of stray and orphaned animals within our communities.
The Hill Country Animal League is good for you, your pets and for your community. Your donations can make a big difference in illuminating the suffering, the economic burden and the health risks associated with pet overpopulation. Please donate now by sending your check to the HCAL Clinic at 924 North Main St., Boerne, Texas 78006 (Ph: 830-249-2341) or donating on line at www.hcaltx.com.
