Plan for ‘No Kill’ Animal Shelter Outlined by Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, CA (Friday, May 19, 2017 at 11 a.m.)—Kern County Animal Services is hoping to enlist public assistance to convert to a “no kill” animal shelter standard. They are kicking off the public education campaign with a march on Tuesday, May 23. They invite Kern County residents and their pets to join in the event.

If Mountain Community residents join in the event, please contact The Mountain Enterprise and send photos to us at Editor(@)MountainEnterprise.com (remove the parenthesis around ‘@’).

Here’s the press release:

Help Us Make Kern County NO KILL kick-off

May 23rd, 2017 at Kern County Board of Supervisors Meeting

Imagine a Kern County where no dog is unwanted, uncared for or unloved. Imagine a Kern County where no pet is killed in a shelter again simply for being hurt, lost or abandoned. Imagine a No Kill Kern County. Make Kern County NO KILL is not just a slogan … it is an idea whose time has come.

At the morning session of the Kern County Board of Supervisors May 23rd, 2017 meeting, Marley’s Mutts Animal Rescue and Kern County Animal Services will kick-off the Help Us Make Kern County NO KILL initiative. Designed to raise awareness, increase the number of low-cost spay and neuter clinics, increase animal rescues and adoptions, and decrease euthanasia rates in Kern County Animal Shelters, the Make Kern County NO KILL initiative seeks to unite Kern County shelters and rescues toward a common goal – No Kill.

Our plan is simple:

  1. Make Kern County NO KILL supporters will gather for a PACK Walk from the Rabobank parking lot on N Street to the Kern County Administration Center. Walk begins at 8:15 AM.
  2. Board of Supervisors proclaim June as the Kern County Animal Services NO KILL Effort Awareness month on Tuesday, May 23rd at the morning session. Kern County Animal Services will report on decreased euthanasia progress made within the past few years.
  3. Marley’s Mutts Animal Rescue will organize and facilitate several spay and neuter programs, adoption events, community education activities and donation opportunities during the month of June.
  4. Kern County Animal Services will offer $10 Spay/Neuter Vouchers on June 10th at each of its locations for income qualified County residents, in addition to its “Just One Day” adoption event on June 11th in which all adoptions will be reduced to just $11 for 11 hours.
  5. In the next five years, increase vital spay/neuter services so that fewer animals go into shelters.
  6. In the next five years, increase adoption opportunities so that more animals are placed into loving homes.
  7. In the next five years, increase awareness, via print, broadcast, and social media to disseminate the

Help Us Make Kern County NO KILL message throughout the county!

According to Zach Skow, Executive Director and Founder of Marley’s Mutts, “the Make Kern County NO KILL initiative is a campaign that has already begun. In the last few years, euthanasia rates in County Shelters, have already decreased. Marley’s Mutts is pleased to join with and support Kern County Animal Services to bring those numbers down even more until, ultimately we have made Kern County NO KILL.”

Nick Cullen, Director of Kern County Animal Services, is excited about the partnership. “Making Kern County No Kill is going to take effort and awareness. That effort needs to come from both organizations and individuals in this community. We consider this a movement in Kern County that everyone can get behind. Together we can make this happen.”

Residents and businesses wanting to support the Help Us Make Kern County NO KILL campaign can log onto MarleysMutts.org/NO KILL to learn about ways they can help.

Marley’s Mutts is organizing a “Pack Walk” the morning of May 23rd – supporters and their canine friends will walk to the Kern County Administration building, from the Rabobank Parking lot on N Street, prior to the Board Meeting. Dozens of supporters are expected to join organizers in the Board chambers, the dogs, however, will remain outside.

 

 

This is part of the May 12, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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