Over 80 students  and volunteers from Kaplan College joined Animal Care Services staff Thursday afternoon as they canvassed the neighborhoods around City Hall to raise awareness on responsible pet ownership.  The neighborhood is a source of frequent complaints to ACS and City Hall staff about stray dogs and cats.  Volunteers and staff went door to door, met with homeless shelters employees and their clients, as well as local businesses owners to drop off flyers and educate the public on:

• Responsible pet ownership and city ordinances
• Leash law and fencing
• Pet overpopulation and the importance of spay/neuter surgery
• Importance of rabies vaccinations
• Proper nutrition for pets.

ACS staff and volunteers met with many homeless pet owners to encourage them to vaccinate and spay or neuter their pets.  ACS staff were able to schedule free spay/neuter surgeries for many pet owners.  The money to pay for the surgeries will  come from the $30,000 ASPCA Rachael Ray award that Animal Care Services won last August . Homeless pet owners were given bags of dog food, leashes, and educated on animal wellness. In addition to the responsible pet ownership advice, Kaplan students took vital signs and gave wellness advice to the homeless.

Kaplan students will be at Animal Care Services, 2626 Holly Rd, today at 10:00AM to volunteer throughout the facility. Students will bathe, socialize, and assist with adoptable pets. Students will also be invited to watch spay/neuter surgeries and assist in the shelter veterinarian clinic.