by Joyce Brandon

Joyce is a part of Animal Compassion Team, an animal rescue in Fresno.

Ask anyone in rescue if they love puppies and they will all tell you “Yes!” Ask anyone in rescue if they look forward to the day when their phone no longer rings with requests to take unwanted litters of puppies and they will tell you “Yes!”

I have been saving dogs for the past seven years or so, longer than that if you count my own rescue dogs. I know without a doubt we will never rescue our way out of this unwanted pet problem because there are just too many and they keep on coming. I move one dog or one litter of pups along and ten more are lined up to take its place. The only solution to this problem is spay and neuter which goes hand in hand with responsible pet ownership.

While surgical spay and neuter have become widely accepted as the solution to the unwanted pet problem, there is a new kid in town that shows promise and gives us an additional tool to combat the problem and that is Zeutering, which is a clever name for zinc neutering. This is a non-surgical method for sterilizing male dogs. A solution of Zinc Gluconate is injected into the testicles of the dogs after they have been sedated and made comfortable. Zeuterin™ is FDA approved which gives us the assurance that it is safe and effective.

Zeutering isn’t the answer for everyone, but for some it will provide an acceptable option for sterilization. The dogs will still look intact and testosterone levels are reduced only by about 50%. This might take the edge off some of the “manly” cravings, but won’t solve most behavior problems attributed to adult males such as roaming, marking, aggression, or mounting.

Well, I have exciting news! Reedley will host the very first Zeuterathon in the Central Valley! Thanks to Pet Medical Center and Spa, Animal Compassion Team of California, the City of Reedley, and the Reedley Police Department, this fantastic opportunity will be offered at the Community Center (100 N. East Ave, Reedley, CA) on March 1!

Dr. Leanne Dumars of Pet Medical Center and Spa in Fresno, has been trained and certified in this procedure. Dr. Dumars and many of her staff will be on hand to provide professional care to the dogs.

For a suggested donation of just $20 male dogs will be vaccinated, micro-chipped and chemically neutered: Zeutered. The goal is to Zeuter 100 dogs. To schedule your appointment just call 559-637-4200 x295.

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to ACT.

Joyce Brandon is co-founder of Animal Compassion Team, has lived in Squaw Valley for 21 years and has always had lots of four legged friends sharing her mountain home along with her husband Jim, and five children. Joyce works part time for Mountain Valley Community Church and splits the rest of her time between family and animal rescue work. Joyce believes animal rescue is a mission field God has called her to and has given her a passion for.