The new year might be looking up for dogs and cats that come through the Colusa County Animal Shelter.
On New Year’s Eve, Riverside Lanes saw dog and cat lovers bowling for a good cause.
The annual Pins 4 Paws raised $1,236 for the Friends of Colusa County Animal Shelter to help with food, vaccines, flea treatment, heartworm tests, and other immediate needs, along with an additional $1,000 from a walk-in donation.
The following Tuesday, Colusa County Animal Shelter entered a partnership with the Yuba-Sutter SPCA to expand spay and neutering services from the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, funded with a $250,000 state grant.
“I’m really excited about all of it,” said Colusa County Animal Control Officer Courtney Elliott, at the Pins 4 Paws event.
While FOCCAS relies on the public for any and all donations that make a difference, such as $5 for one cat vaccine, $6 for one flea treatment, $8 for a set of dog vaccines, and $12 for an individual heartworm test, the $250,000 grant will fund $144,000 for more than 500 spay/neuter surgeries, $36,000 in personnel costs, $69,972 for the transport van and associated equipment, and $28,000 for miscellaneous supplies through Dec. 31, 2023.
With the increasing inflation, and rising costs of everything, county officials said the local animal shelter has seen a dramatic increase in abandoned pets and owner-surrendered pets in the last year. “This grant comes at just the right time to help us during this trying time,” Elliott said.
Although many of the animals that come through the shelter are adopted or fostered, Elliott said spaying and neutering is crucial to helping stop the rise in unwanted pets and will ultimately decrease the number of animals that have to be euthanized.
In addition to Riverside Lanes donating proceeds from bowling and food to FOCCAS, the nonprofit associated with the shelter, the fundraiser included a raffle of donated prizes and artwork crafted by some of the shelter dogs.
Among the artwork (done by the dog licking peanut butter over a plastic wrapped canvas with acrylic paint,) was a painting of wildflowers by a male American Bully named Beefcake.
FOCCAS Vice President, Pam DaGrossa, who is currently fostering Beefcake, said he was abandoned on a rural road in October with severely damaged paws, and one of many animals that need forever homes.
Since 2004, FOCCAS has made tremendous improvements to Colusa County’s animal shelter and practices.
The group works to increase pet adoptions through outreach, provides community education about animal care, facilitates spaying and neutering, and provides medical and foster care for needy animals.
FOCCAS achievements have only been possible with the generous individuals and businesses who donate money, labor, and goods, DaGrossa said. ■