SacPaws.com

Shingle Springs - The students of the Animal Health ROP and Agriculture classes at Ponderosa High school are concerned about the pet overpopulation problem in El Dorado County.  Therefore, with the leadership of teachers Julie Gilroy and Lindsey Kovach,  these students spent two months raising funds for PAWED’s (People for Animal Welfare in El Dorado County) Mobile Spay/Neuter and Disaster Response Clinic.   The fundraiser titled, “Pennies from Pondo” had students donating pennies and other coins over a 63 day period—which is the gestation period for cats.  “We wanted to do something to help pets in the community and to underscore the serious problem that occurs when pets are not spayed or neutered.  This was a perfect and fun way to do it”, said teacher, Julie Gilroy. 

On March 12, Ponderosa student, Kaylan Pollard, presented PAWED with a check for $176.55 during an evening FFA meeting at the high school.  Accepting the check for PAWED was Charlene Welty, President and Jeff Lee, leader of the team of PAWED volunteers who renovated the mobile clinic over the past two years.  “We are thrilled to see the commitment of these young people to help stop the problem of so many homeless pets in the county”, said Jeff Lee, “and we will put these funds to good use!”

PAWED has recently launched a major fundraising campaign, “Operate in 2008” to raise $75,000 for its first year operating costs of the clinic.  The mobile clinic is the first of its kind in the county, and will provide low cost spay/neuter services and disaster response assistance for pets of county residents.  If you can help with their fundraising efforts, please call 530-677-2476.  For more information on this clinic, visit www.pawedpets.org.