Few pets abandoned despite South Lake Tahoe economy

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE -- Pets might be in peril elsewhere around the U.S. because of the economic downturn, but at the South Shore, officials say they have yet to see a surge in abandoned and neglected animals.

In fact, the El Dorado County Animal Shelter isn’t bursting at the seams with abandoned cats and dogs, in contrast to what other shelters in the region are reporting. This is a good sign, animal officials say, because it shows that people are making humane decisions about how they should take care of their pets.

“I don’t think we are seeing an increase in animals that are surrendered to us. Animals have always been surrendered to us. But I am hearing people say that they have been impacted by the economy,” said Lt. Robert Gerat at the shelter.

Animal activists say they are feeling the economic pinch, with dwindling donations of money and pet food from the community.

The Lake Tahoe Humane Society has seen less in the way of donations of dry food and money. Its annual holiday programs, including Santa Paws, netted 10 cans of dog food this month.

In past years, donations of several 25-pound bags of cat and dog food were not uncommon. The program also uses donations to help people who can’t afford veterinary care for their pets. That fund is shrinking, too, said Executive Director Dawn Armstrong.

“We’re getting more need and less response,” Armstrong said. The reason may be some of those “who’ve donated to us in the past now need food themselves.”

The Humane Society has also seen a slight increase in demand for veterinary vouchers, because some pet owners have said they don’t have enough money to pay their bills, she said.

Meanwhile, the Animal Coalition of Tahoe, which offers $25 spay-and-neuter vouchers to pet owners from Glenbrook to Christmas Valley, hasn’t seen a demand yet. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be one, especially among people who intend to have their pets fixed but find themselves not being able to afford it, said Karen Kuentz, a volunteer for the animal coalition and at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter.

How to help

-- To donate money or surplus food, or if you are in need of assistance, contact Animal Coalition of Tahoe at (530) 222-9183. Applications for vouchers are available at Dog.Dog.Cat at the Village Center, 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd., www.dogdogcat.com; the Pet Supermarket, 1074 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe; and Pet Station, 2205 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

-- To donate money or surplus food to the Humane Society of Lake Tahoe, call (530) 542-2857 or write to P.O. Box PET, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158. The office is at 1221 Emerald Bay Road and is open from 9:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.