Kayenta Animal Control & Shelter (KACS)
Hope from Within

Progress Report: July/August 2005

Kayenta Animal Control & Shelter hosted another week of free spay/neuter services provided by Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) the week of July 25-29 in the Chapter House parking lot. While many people showed up to take advantage of the spay/neuter services, the week was fairly slow for walk-up vaccinations. Kayenta Township was hosting an economic summit during the same week. The mobile clinic has less visibility in the Chapter House parking lot than when it is parked at the Township parking lot, visible from the main road.

SNAP provided 90 free spay/neuter surgeries over the course of the week. In addition to the spay/neuter services, SNAP also provided the following animal health services:

• dog with Parvo had one treatment prior to SNAP's arrival. Last 2 treatments administered by SNAP twice during the week
• dog with hind leg wound- treated by SNAP staff
• 2 dogs with severe ticks- sedated and ticks pulled by SNAP staff
• 13 yr old dog - treated for mange and worms
• VERY SICK kitten - exam and euthanasia
• 2 dogs treated for mange
• 2 dogs - owner docked tail at home w/ rubber bands. Tails were off, area infected. treated with antibiotics.

Best Friends Animal Society donated funds to help purchase the low-cost vaccinations for this clinic and the clinic in September. KACS disseminated 50 low-cost vaccinations in conjunction with the mobile spay/neuter clinic. OEH provided free rabies vaccinations on Thursday. Without the help of Best Friends, we just wouldn't be able to extend services to as many people. We appreciate the Best Friends program of No More Homeless Pets, which offers support to communities that are trying to solve their animal overpopulation problems in a humane way.

KACS also had 3 local adoptions, and was able to reunite 4 kittens with their proper owner. Some dogs that attacked animals and who were aggressive towards people were transported to the Navajo Nation Animal Control facility in Tuba City for euthanasia. The local trailer park donated 200 ft. of 12 foot high chain link fencing. Local business owners donated $3,000 towards startup costs and these monies were also used in helping to transport animals to other locations for adoption and placement. Funds also became available from Township for the construction related cost of phase one building. Frank and Victoria Ramsey were awarded appreciation awards from Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) for their community involvment.

Frank Ramsey of KACS also received his NACA level three training in Reno, Nevada. The training was sponsored by the Pegasus Foundation and the ASPCA. Training was for 36 hours over one week, which included bite stick, chemical capture, euthanasia training and pepper spray.

Also in conjunction with this week of free spay/neuter, KACS participated in rescuing, acquiring vet services for, and transferring animals to other groups. KACS wishes to thank all the people and organizations that participated in transporting and accepting animals for placement. They include Noah's Ark Animal Rescue in Phoenix, AZ, who accepted 18 puppies in July and August, Northern Arizona Second Chance Center for Animals in Flagstaff, AZ, Boulder Valley Humane, in Boulder, CO, and Colorado 9 Lives Rescue in Colorado Springs, CO. KACS also wishes to thank Best Friends Animal Society for their assistance in transporting animals to Colorado, and Ann Swissdorf, who helped transport some animals to CO Springs. Thank you also to Donna Marino and Ann Swissdorf and Gail van Slyke for their donations of dog food, money and supplies for the animals. Thank you also to Lynn Dolan for going above and beyond, and interrupting her vacation to help us with transport. Without your assistance, we just wouldn't be able to help as many animals. Thanks also to Alicia Christie for finding great homes for some of our special fosters.

We know that getting animals placed in good homes is a time consuming process, and that transferring them is only one step in this process. But without groups willing to accept animals for placement, Kayenta would be in even worse shape than it is now. On behalf of the animals and the community, KACS thanks all these groups for networking and participating with us in helping the animals.

All photos courtesy of Frank Ramsey.

Gallery of Animals

Here are some of the animals that were rescued and transferred.

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