Free Spay, Neuter Clinic Open

By Michele Robertson

In hopes of reducing the number of animals at Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, God’s Treasured Pets Clinic is open Monday through Wednesday for free spay and neuter appointments, vaccines, and microchips at 621 S. Main St.

“At this time, vaccines and microchips are offered for those getting spayed/neutered with us. We are soon making a wellness clinic available for vaccines/microchips for those who are already spayed/neutered,” said Kayla Kodak, Rescue and Transport Coordinator for the shelter.

Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter is overflowing with pets needing homes. Currently, there are 140 adoptable dogs and 125 adoptable cats.

“Pet owners are surrendering their pets at alarming rates, giving up on them for any reason; can no longer afford them, landlords are forcing pet owners to surrender pets, people let pets roam free, don’t safely contain their pets, many come in without collars or tags or any sort of identification making it extremely difficult for us to reunite pets,” Kodak said.

“There is a major animal overpopulation crisis we battle daily, and we hope more pet owners practice responsible pet ownership by spaying, neutering, vaccinating, microchipping, and keeping pets safely contained. We get in more strays, owner surrenders, abandoned, injured, abused, and unwanted animals than we know what to do with. There is not enough space or resources to find them all homes, leading shelter staff to make heartbreaking decisions when there is no space left,” Kodak said.

“Microchips must also be registered and kept up to date with current contact info. We get many animals brought in who have been run over by cars, shot, attacked by other loose animals, or worse. If pets are spayed/neutered and the animal overpopulation stops, there will be less of all of the above. Pets who are not spayed or neutered often have more desire to roam to breed, get possessive over other animals while trying to breed, have higher risks of cancers, tend to have behavior issues, spread diseases/sicknesses, and more,” Kodak continued.

“There is no need to breed more unwanted animals when people have failed the countless unwanted and homeless pets who already exist in this world. Shelters are over capacity everywhere and are euthanizing for lack of space, lack of adopters, and lack of resources. Rescue partners are bursting at the seams; there simply aren’t enough places for more unwanted animals to go. Kudos to those out there who do practice responsible pet ownership! Please help encourage others to do so,” she added.

Needs of the shelter include committed fosters and adopters, volunteers to help with cleaning, animal enrichment, dog walking, cat socialization, photos, dog days out, and more. Individuals can also help with pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering pets, volunteering, fostering, educating, adopting, and being responsible pet owners.

“If you need help for your pet, ask. Many are willing to help people keep their pets if you are willing to accept help. Together, we can make the animals’ lives better. If you have a doubt about how bad the pet overpopulation crisis is, please go volunteer at your local shelter to see the many eyes of hopeless pets begging for brighter futures,” Kodak pleaded.

For Kodak, the favorite thing about working at Noah’s Ark is “being able to help get animals another chance at life. To be the voice for the voiceless, to matchmake pets with new homes, to help advocate for the pets to show off how great shelter pets can be if given the chance. Seeing people find their new best friends and the pets living great lives is why we all do what we do. Seeing pets open up and blossom in new homes is a driving force in what keeps us going on the tough days. Getting updates of pets thriving in their new homes is incredibly heartwarming.”

Kodak also shared a downside of working at Noah’s Ark. “The worst thing about being in the animal welfare industry is the constant feeling of being defeated and the heartbreak that comes along with not being able to save every animal,” she said.

“Seeing the cruelty cases, the animals come in terrified because they’ve never known a loving hand, having pets who have been injured or too badly abused taking their final breath in my arms as they’ve been failed by people. Humans domesticated pets, and it’s our promise to treat them as such. Many treat pets as if they are disposable, and the animals suffer in the end. I truly wish more people practiced responsible pet ownership and treated pets like family,” Kodak said.

“It’s heartbreaking seeing pets rot on chains in the elements, pets not surviving the brutal temps, being left outside starving, strays coming in time after time again, the ones who never know what it’s like to be loved and truly wanted,” she continued. “We need better laws in place to advocate for the animals to truly make a difference, where the animals will hopefully win one day. Until more people do better, the animals will continue to suffer.”

Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter

5217 Buena Vista Drive Carlsbad, N.M. 88220

Phone 575-885-5769 · Email: noahsarkcarlsbad@gmail.com

Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sign up for free spay and neuter by using this link - https://clinichq.com/online/6ac885b1-1f6e-47d5-88f8-394da4151d28. Email godstreasuredpetsclinic@gmail.com with questions about free spay and neuter.