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ANIMAL ASSISTANCE HOTLINE:Call the Hotline at (310) 392-5153 |
Our 24-hour Animal Assistance Hotline receives thousands of calls each year. The Hotline Coordinator returns every call, providing information on: low-cost vaccination clinics, as well as
- Low-cost spay-neuter clinics: Click to download this Low Cost Spay and Neuter Flyer
- Feral cats
- Dog trainers and animal behaviorists
- How to find a lost pet
- Wildlife assistance and much more!
The purpose of the Animal Assistance Hotline is to provide information and resources to the public in order to help any animal in need. Below is information that you may find helpful regarding spay & neuter, finding a lost pet, pet-friendly apartments, etc.
“Due to the economy and our having to downsize to an apartment that does not allow pets, Tony, our 8 year old rescued cat needed a new home and continued love. After close to a year, four counties, 20 phone calls to shelters, exhausting all our neighborhood, friends, and family contacts, Santa Monica Animal Shelter led us to Voice For the Animals Foundation’s Hotline.”
Harry and Sherry, Santa Monica, CA
Our deepest appreciation goes to the Found Animals Foundation for their support to this vital service to the community.
Additional Resources:
10 Steps to Finding Your Lost Pet
Lost your pet? Follow these 10 steps to increase your chances of finding your loved ones:
- Hang posters everywhere
- Check with the animal shelters daily
- Make a lost posting on Craigslist or Petfinder
- Search your neighborhood
- Leave food and water by your door
- Borrow a trap from your local humane society or animal rescue
- Visit your previous residence if you’ve recently moved
- Contact all local rescue groups
- Put an ad in your local paper
- Don’t give up!
For more detailed information on finding your lost pet, CLICK HERE.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Information
It is extremely important to spay/neuter your pet. Please download this Low Cost Spay and Neuter Flyer we created to inform you about the benefits of spay/neuter and a list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics in the area.
The Myths of Spaying and Neutering
Last year, over 15 million cats and dogs were killed in animal shelters and pounds in the United States, and this figure does not include the many pets who were thrown out of cars, left by the side of the road, or dropped in woods and fields. Yet we can’t kill the myths that are perpetuating their destruction. Which of these myths do you still believe?
Myth: It’s better to allow your female to have one litter before she is spayed
Fact: Not true! There is no information to substantiate this claim. In fact, the best time to spay your female dog or cat is before her first heat. Here are the facts:
Spaying your female at a young age prevents uterine infections, such as pyometra, which can be fatal. Infections of the uterus are a major cause of illness in unspayed pets.
Spaying reduces the incidence of mammary (breast) cancer. This is a very common cancer in unspayed females, and the most common cancer to spread to the lungs.
Spaying can be done while your pet is pregnant. While this means aborting the offspring, it is more humane than taking them to the pound later. Also, for every litter you bring into the world, a litter at the pound dies.
Spaying eliminates unwanted males from harassing your pet.
Myth: Preventing pets from having litters is unnatural
Fact: We have already interfered with nature by domesticating dogs and cats. We domesticated the dog 15,000 years ago and the cat 8,000 years ago. In doing so, we helped create this problem. Now it’s our responsibility to solve it. It’s also unnatural to be killing so many of them in our pounds and shelters each year.
Myth: I want my children to see the miracle of birth
Fact: Frequently animals go off by themselves to give birth, usually in the middle of the night. Teach your children instead about humaneness and kindness to all living creatures by educating them about the importance of spaying and neutering.
Myth: Pets become fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered
Fact: Fat animals are usually over fed and under exercised. It’s true there can be a tendency for a pet to put on some weight after the operation. But what is not true is that the operation causes the condition. If your pet shows signs of putting on a little weight, reduce the calories and increase the walks or play sessions. That will keep the waistline trim.
Myth: A pet’s behavior changes dramatically after surgery
Fact: The only changes in behavior you’ll see are positive ones! Here are the facts:
Male cats tend to reduce their territorial spraying depending upon the age at which they are neutered. If neutered young enough, before they develop the habit of spraying, they may never develop the behavior.
Neutered male cats and dogs fight less resulting in fewer battle scars, contagious diseases, and abscesses. They also wander less since they aren’t interested in pursuing the female in heat. Therefore, their chances of being hit by a car or getting lost are greatly reduced.
In fact, spayed and neutered animals live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Myth: We don’t need to neuter males, because they aren’t the ones having the litters
Fact: This is most prevalent myth yet the most ridiculous. Immaculate conception doesn’t explain canine and feline pregnancies. It takes two to tango.
Myth: Neutering male cats causes urethral obstructions
Fact: Exhaustive studies have indicated that obstructions are not affected by whether or not a cat is neutered. In fact, neutering diminishes the likelihood of prostate and testicular cancers and perineal hernias later in life. To prevent urethral obstructions, make sure your pet is eating the best diet possible
Myth: I can find “good” homes for all the puppies or kittens that my female gives birth t
Fact: Finding truly good, lasting homes for kittens and puppies is very difficult. Many pets are taken to the pound or otherwise discarded once they start to grow. And, who is to ensure that your pet’s offspring won’t mature, breed, and contribute to the existing problem? There is no way you can guarantee these animals will be spayed or neutered. Also, for every animal you bring into the world, one at the pound will die. Do yourself a favor and avoid the agonizing job of trying to find homes for your pet’s litter. If you know of some good homes, send your friends to the pound. There are many animals waiting there. And their time is running out.
Myth: My dog won’t be a good watchdog if I neuter him
Fact: If he was a good watchdog before the surgery, he will be a good watchdog after the surgery.
Myth: The operation costs too much money
Fact: There is A LOT of financial help available. Call us (530/273-7958) or your local humane agency about the cost- effective ways you can get your pets spayed and neutered. You’ll be surprised how inexpensive it can be!
If your pet isn’t spayed or neutered, make an appointment today for surgery. The more altered animals there are, the fewer homeless ones there will be.
