Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch holds free clinic in Clearlake
- Lucy Llewellyn Byard
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch and the SPCA of Lake County joined forces to offer a free vaccination, microchip and spay/neuter voucher clinic on Friday in Clearlake.
“People showed up at 4 a.m. to be first in line,” said Monica Stevens, co-founder of the Napa Valley-based Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch.
The clinic was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.
The people came in droves. Finding a parking place within three blocks of the church was impossible. Cars were parked anywhere they could squeeze in.
By 11 a.m., the start of the program, the line of humans, dogs and cats wound around the church, with dogs yipping, humans chatting and cats staring silently out of their carriers.
Some dogs arrived in cages on wheels. People arrived in wheelchairs, on walkers, on oxygen. One man, who only needed a voucher brought a book to read while waiting in line. Others brought their dogs and cats who needed shots and microchips, and to get a voucher for sterilization.
Stevens was difficult to hunt down as she wore many hats that day; water girl for thirsty dogs and cats, dog food carrier to humans whose dogs looked on the thin side, organizer for volunteers who kept the lines in order and handed out paperwork to be filled out, liaison with the SPCA of Lake County, which handled the vouchers for sterilization.
As the afternoon sun turned hot, people’s nerves began to fray. Out of the almost 200 dogs, only one skirmish broke out. The dogs were better behaved than some owners as three human skirmishes broke out; mostly due to people worrying about others cutting in line after being there for so long.
“Some people and their animals were in line for eight hours. These people really care for their animals to devote that much time and plan for it,” said Stevens.
Many people brought multiple animals, who waited patiently on the sidewalks, under umbrellas or even under the belly of a larger dog to escape the sun.
Some of the smallest dogs screamed bloody murder when getting their shots. Others were as calm as Clear Lake on a good day. One shaggy dog wanted to be next to his “daddy” and sat perfectly still until he was microchipped and then he zoomed back to his owner’s side.
Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch received a grant from Too Faced Cosmetics for $50,000, and “We used every last penny and more,” said Stevens.
She said they handed out 573 spay/neuter vouchers worth $100 for the surgery.
A total of 190 dogs and cats were microchipped, and 192 were vaccinated, Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch reported.
Dog and cat food was handed out — 500 pounds of it, along with 55 collars and leashes.
The program was to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. but extended to 4 p.m. due to the large crowd that showed up.
To handle so many animals, there were seven staff members, 12 volunteers, one vet and four vet techs. It was Debra Sally’s – a vet for 30 years – first vaccination clinic. She was thrilled to volunteer for it.
Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch puts on three big clinics per year and they are dependent on grants and private donations to make the programs work.
“The SPCA got the flyers out in all the right neighborhoods,” said Stevens. “They really helped to make this clinic a success. We are jointly committed to helping the health of animals in Lake County and to address the situation of over population by holding these free spay/neuter voucher clinics.”
“People were beyond grateful to come out to help their animals,” said Stevens. “This was one of the most rewarding clinics. I am so grateful to our grantor, Too Faced Cosmetics. None of this would be happening without their support.”
From all the tragedy that has hit Lake County in the last several years, Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch has stepped up to aid the community in its recovery by helping the public’s beloved pets. None of this would have happened without JARR’s support.
To contact Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch, visit http://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org.
Lucy Llewellyn Byard is a correspondent for Lake County News. She lives in Lucerne, Calif.