Free spay-neuter program aims to reduce pit bulls, Chihuahuas in parts of Modesto, Ceres

The Stanislaus Animal Services Agency is targeting two canine breeds – pit bulls and Chihuahuas – for a free spay or neuter program that aims to reduce their numbers in four specific areas in Modesto and Ceres.

Annette Patton, the agency’s executive director, said that pit bulls and Chihuahuas from those four areas account for almost half of the dogs and puppies taken into the animal shelter on Cornucopia Way. Starting Friday, the spay or neuter program will be offered for those breeds in the 95351 and 95354 ZIP code areas of west and southeast Modesto, the 95358 area west of Modesto and 95307 in Ceres.

“Close to 4,000 unaltered Chihuahuas and pit bulls come in from those areas,” Patton noted. “Our goal for implementing the new program is to decrease the high birth rate.”

Stanislaus Animal Services is a joint powers authority including the county and Modesto, Ceres, Patterson, Hughson and Waterford. Residents in the four ZIP codes may bring their pit bulls or Chihuahuas to the shelter to get a free rabies vaccination and free spay-neuter certificate. Dog owners will take the certificates to participating veterinarians to have their dogs altered.

Patton said the program has a goal of altering 600 dogs in the next 12 months, which will cost tens of thousands of dollars for the animal services agency. Proponents of free spay-neuter programs say they reduce the number of strays, shelter costs and euthanization.

The Stanislaus shelter took in 8,405 dogs and puppies in the 2014-15 budget year. Patton said pit bulls from the four ZIP codes account for 24 percent of total shelter intake and Chihuahuas 22 percent. That’s higher than any other breeds.

According to the Humane Society, spayed or neutered dogs are healthier and live longer. They are more affectionate and less likely to fight with other animals or run away.

The Humane Society suggests that a larger number of dog bites may occur in areas with uncontrolled breeding.

In another effort, Stanislaus Animal Services is looking for volunteers to provide foster care for kittens for a few weeks. The shelter takes in a large number of kittens in summer and tries to provide them with temporary homes; otherwise, they’re in danger of being put to sleep.

“At the height of kitten season, we see an average of 50 kittens come into the shelter each day, all in need of placement in a temporary home the same day they arrive,” Patton said.

The shelter works with volunteers who can choose to care for kittens, a mom and kittens or puppies. The youngest kitties need to be bottle fed, while older ones are already eating food.

The foster care is needed until the kittens are 2 pounds – or mature enough to be taken back to the shelter for adoption. The kittens are spayed or neutered at the shelter before being adopted.

Patton said volunteers are given the supplies needed for the care. There are dedicated families that open their homes every summer, and more volunteers are urgently needed, she said.

“If they take the really young ones, we give them the bottles,” Patton said. “Everyone wants to adopt the cute little kittens.”

Pit bull and Chihuahua owners from the 95307, 95351, 95354 and 95358 ZIP codes can take their animals to the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency at 3647 Cornucopia Way to receive a free spay or neuter certificate and free rabies vaccination. Kitten foster care volunteers should also go to the shelter, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 209-558-7387.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Free spay-neuter program aims to reduce pit bulls, Chihuahuas in parts of Modesto, Ceres."