The feral cat problems in Plumas County may take a turn for the better as the board of supervisors approves a 10,000-dollar sponsorship for a spay and neuter clinic. The funds would come from the one-time allocation of the PG&E settlement monies as a result of fault from the Dixie Fire.
CAO Debra Lucero says the exponential growth of ferals has been a direct result of the million-acre wildfire that struck just two years ago this month. Two non-profits, along with Plumas Animal Control, will work with Dr. Frank Merill, a retired veterinarian, and his Associate Dr. Michelle Kelly to hold the clinic in the communities of Taylorsville and Crescent Mills. Numerous volunteers will lend a hand to trap up to 100 ferals throughout all areas of Plumas.
The program will, in total, cost 20,000 dollars, to which the non-profit will match the county contribution to reach that amount. 7400 of the county’s money will go towards purchasing 74 traps which will be owned by the county’s animal control.
Each trap will cost roughly 100 dollars. A representative with one of the non-profits responds to Supervisor Engle’s inability to back the initiative as he believes there is more important items in the county to direct the funds towards.
Despite the opposition, Engle and the remaining Supervisors approved the allocation of 10,000.
The non-profit hopes to make this an annual or biannual event to help curb the growing feral population.
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash
