Too many unwanted cats are born
Editor, Ceres Courier,
Stanislaus County euthanized 571 kittens and 441 cats during the month of October. These statistics are extremely personal to me, since I had the heart-breaking task of taking at least 30 of these cats and kittens to the shelter during October!
One morning I found 12 kittens stuffed into a box. They were stacked in the box in three layers. The bottom layer contained five newborns with umbilical cords attached. An old shirt separated them from four 2 month old kittens, and on the top were three more kittens! One was a little Siamese with big blue eyes and a pink collar. All the rescues were filled and I couldn't take 12 kittens home with me. I am still haunted by the sight of this box with all these kittens in it.
Stanislaus County has a serious over-population of strays and ferals. Too many are dying on the streets and at the shelter.
The reason for this cat over-population is simple. There are too many kittens born. The answer to the problem is an aggressive, high-quality, targeted, low-cost spay and neuter program! Expanding our shelter to allow for the increase of incoming animals will prove to be cost- and labor-intensive and will be ineffective at addressing the problem. By more effectively allocating resource towards sterilization, saving them can be utilized to enhance adoption programs and expanded medical treatment service at the shelter.
No other disease or condition of companion animal takes as many lives as euthanasia. In fact, no other disease comes close.
Karen Mosser,
Ceres
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Society offers thanks
Editor, Ceres Courier,
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Ceres, would like to thank the Ceres community and many others for their support of our annual Christmas Food Basket Giveaway held on Dec. 22. Generous donations of food and toys helped to make Christmas special for 251 families (1,167 individuals) while 485 children received new toys.
With special thanks and appreciation to Rich Scola, Station #2 firefighters, Sid Long, Ceres Lion Club, Virginia Parks School, Sinclear School, Ethel Pearson School, Costco, Gemperle Enterprises, Sencient Dehydrated Flavors, Wonder Bread, J.M. Equipment, Co., 7-Up Bottling Co., and the following car clubs - Sangre Latina, Skanless, Nockturnal, Nite Life, Latin Union, New Style, Team Cherry, Lil Eddies and McDonalds in Patterson.
The St. Vincent de Paul operates an emergency food pantry every Monday and Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., except major holidays. To qualify for food and clothing one must live in St. Jude's Parish boundaries which includes Ceres, Keyes, South Modesto, the Airport District and some areas of Modesto. Also needed are IDs for all applicants and verification of address.
Donations are always gratefully accepted. Contact St. Jude's Church at 537-0516.
Helen Marchy,
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Jude's Catholic Church
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed with the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters should be sent to: The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 7, Ceres, CA 95307. Letters may also be emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.
Editor, Ceres Courier,
Stanislaus County euthanized 571 kittens and 441 cats during the month of October. These statistics are extremely personal to me, since I had the heart-breaking task of taking at least 30 of these cats and kittens to the shelter during October!
One morning I found 12 kittens stuffed into a box. They were stacked in the box in three layers. The bottom layer contained five newborns with umbilical cords attached. An old shirt separated them from four 2 month old kittens, and on the top were three more kittens! One was a little Siamese with big blue eyes and a pink collar. All the rescues were filled and I couldn't take 12 kittens home with me. I am still haunted by the sight of this box with all these kittens in it.
Stanislaus County has a serious over-population of strays and ferals. Too many are dying on the streets and at the shelter.
The reason for this cat over-population is simple. There are too many kittens born. The answer to the problem is an aggressive, high-quality, targeted, low-cost spay and neuter program! Expanding our shelter to allow for the increase of incoming animals will prove to be cost- and labor-intensive and will be ineffective at addressing the problem. By more effectively allocating resource towards sterilization, saving them can be utilized to enhance adoption programs and expanded medical treatment service at the shelter.
No other disease or condition of companion animal takes as many lives as euthanasia. In fact, no other disease comes close.
Karen Mosser,
Ceres
* * * * * * * *
Society offers thanks
Editor, Ceres Courier,
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Ceres, would like to thank the Ceres community and many others for their support of our annual Christmas Food Basket Giveaway held on Dec. 22. Generous donations of food and toys helped to make Christmas special for 251 families (1,167 individuals) while 485 children received new toys.
With special thanks and appreciation to Rich Scola, Station #2 firefighters, Sid Long, Ceres Lion Club, Virginia Parks School, Sinclear School, Ethel Pearson School, Costco, Gemperle Enterprises, Sencient Dehydrated Flavors, Wonder Bread, J.M. Equipment, Co., 7-Up Bottling Co., and the following car clubs - Sangre Latina, Skanless, Nockturnal, Nite Life, Latin Union, New Style, Team Cherry, Lil Eddies and McDonalds in Patterson.
The St. Vincent de Paul operates an emergency food pantry every Monday and Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., except major holidays. To qualify for food and clothing one must live in St. Jude's Parish boundaries which includes Ceres, Keyes, South Modesto, the Airport District and some areas of Modesto. Also needed are IDs for all applicants and verification of address.
Donations are always gratefully accepted. Contact St. Jude's Church at 537-0516.
Helen Marchy,
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Jude's Catholic Church
* * * * * * * *
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed with the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters should be sent to: The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 7, Ceres, CA 95307. Letters may also be emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.
