Riders take to the streets to fight pet overpopulation

Riders take to the streets to fight pet overpopulation

SUSAN SCHELL

Last updated: August 24th, 2010 04:25 PM (PDT)

Motorcycle enthusiasts will do what they do best on Saturday — jump on their hogs and hit the road.

The second annual Hogs for Dogs event will provide a way for riders to enjoy the outdoors for a cause. The money raised from the event will benefit Coalition HUMAnE, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Tacoma for dogs and cats to prevent euthanizing unwanted animals.

Coalition HUMAnE president Holly Bukes said the event is open to anyone in the state.

“We have people come from far away because they can’t afford their veterinarian’s fees,” Bukes said.

Last year’s event raised $5,000, and this year is expected to be more successful.

“There was a bit of (bad) weather in the morning, but we had a good turnout, and it was a lot of fun,” Bukes said. “We’re a non-profit, and the money we raise most often goes to provide even further discounts to people who can’t afford our already low fees.”

Bukes said the Coalition HUMAnE Spay and Neuter Clinic performed about 5,000 sterilization surgeries last year. The clinic recently expanded and added a second veterinarian part-time. It expects the number of operations to jump from 7,500 to 9,000 next year.

The ride begins and ends at the Floatation Device Pub and Grill in Purdy. The blues band Loose Gravel and Quarry will provide entertainment for returning riders from 3 to 6 p.m.

The ride’s route is the main draw for the event, because most of the course is along the water, event organizer Dave McCormick said. “They’ll ride along the Hood Canal to Belfair, through Gorst and out through Port Orchard to Manchester.

Harley-Davidson owner Tari Davis made the run last year and said she’s looking forward to this weekend.

“It was the most fun I have ever had,” she said. “The ride is beautiful. It goes all over Puget Sound, and the scenery was breathtaking. We met a lot a friends that we still hang out with.”

Davis said she recommends the ride not just for the fun, but because it’s for a good cause.

“Last year there was not a hitch and everything went smoothly,” she said. “It was put together very professionally.”

Hogs for Dogs

Hogs for Dogs will have motorcycle riders taking to the streets for the second annual charity event to raise funds for the Coalition HUMAnE, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

The ride will start at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28. Riders will gather at the Floatation Device Pub & Grill, 14511 Sherman Drive NW in Purdy.

For more information or to pre-register, visit www.coalitionhumane.org.

Coalition: HUMAnE Expands!

Coalition: HUMAnE, the first high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter clinic of its kind in the Puget Sound Region, has expanded. In just 24 months of operation over 10,000 dogs and cats were surgically sterilized at the Coalition: HUMAnE Spay & Neuter Clinic in Tacoma, demonstrating the enormous need for these services. 165 animals lose their lives in Washington shelters every day with 1.86 million companion animals estimated as unaltered. The addition of a second veterinarian and surgical team has resulted in additional clinic capacity of 2400 surgeries a year to serve even more clients and their pets.

Coalition: HUMAnE’s services are available to the general public, with no residency limitations. Low cost surgical sterilization is available for pet cats and dogs, as well as for feral cats. The clinic expansion will allow members of the public to obtain surgery appointments quickly and efficiently. Appointments can be made online at www.coalitionhumane.org or by calling the clinic at 253.627.7729(SPAY).

The clinic is located at 2106 Tacoma Avenue South in Tacoma. Spaying and neutering is the most effective solution to pet overpopulation. It is also non-lethal. “Our goal with this clinic is to offer the lowest cost possible in order to serve the largest number of animals, therefore making immediate and positive impacts on area shelter intake and the killing of companion animals. We are thrilled to expand our offerings to the communities of Washington State,” said Lorrie Kalmbach-Ehlers, Coalition: HUMAnE Executive Director.

Check out your candidates!

Check out your candidates!

Washington Legislative Candidates Explain Their Positions on Animal Welfare Issues

The Washington State primary election is August 17.
Before you vote, please take a few minutes to see where your candidates stand on important animal welfare legislative issues.

The League of Humane Voters, Washington Chapter and the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies conducted a survey of all primary candidates for the Washington State Senate and Washington State House of Representatives. Candidates were asked to state their opinions and positions on animal welfare legislative issues involving:Companion Animal Spay/Neuter AssistanceFeeding of WildlifeWildlife TrappingContinuous Chaining or Tethering of Dogs, andHumane Treatment of LivestockThe results of the survey are published on the League of Humane Voters website. Please take a few minutes to review the results.Over 100 candidates responded.
Helpful guides:
How to find your legislative district: Legislative District Finder.How to find a list of all candidates running for the State Senate and House of Representatives with their contact information: Primary Candidates List. (Scroll down the list until you see the state legislative districts).
Candidates were given the survey in early July and were reminded by email to respond before the July 18 deadline. If certain candidates in your district did not respond to the survey, you may wish to contact them and ask about their views on animal welfare legislation important to you--before you vote!