Local nonprofit offers spay and neuter service

When the abandoned box cars were removed in downtown Durango, someone rounded up the wild kittens that had called the cars home. The cats were fed, spayed and neutered, and placed in homes.

When Durango travelers pick up homeless dogs, someone offers medical care (including spay and neuter) and helps place the animals in homes.

That someone is often a volunteer with a local organization called Dogster’s Spay and Neuter Program (DSNiP). Over the past three years, the nonprofit has provided low- or no-cost spay and neuters for almost 300 homeless cats and dogs.

"Spaying and neutering cats and dogs is the single most humane thing you can do if you love animals," said Karen Zempel, who helped found the organization in 1999 and named it after her beloved pet, Dogster.

Each year, 6-8 million dogs and cats end up in animal shelters, and at least half must be put down. Southwest Colorado is no exception. To understand the problem, all it takes is some simple math:

A fertile female cat can produce three litters a year. Each litter will average 4-6 kittens. That means that, in seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

A fertile dog can produce two litters a year. Each litter will average 6-10 puppies. That means that, in six years, one female dog and her offspring could produce 67,000 dogs.

DSNiP will also subsidize spay and neuters for pets whose owners qualify as not being able to afford to pay for the procedure. In some circumstances, DSNiP can help provide emergency medical assistance for injured pets in need who may not otherwise receive care. DSNiP works exclusively with local veterinarian Dr. Becky James at Aspen Tree Animal Caring Center in Durango.

"The goal is to support those pet owners who understand how important it is that their pet doesn’t add to pet overpopulation," Zempel said.

DSNiP is dedicated to decreasing the number of homeless pets in Southwest Colorado. The private, nonprofit program is supported entirely through voluntary donations. For more information contact Karen Zempel at 247-7857 or Amy at 382-0100. You can also write DSNiP at #10 Town Plaza #115, Durango, CO 81301. All contributions are tax deductible.

- Ann Bond