March 2008 Vol. 27. No. 3

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

For All Time Cat Haven: Del Norte couple crates a safe dwelling for pets
Budget cuts: Programs will likely be affected
Area 1 Agency on Aging: Come talk about senior needs March 18
Get ready for A Special Day of Caring ‹ for your critters
AARP Driver Safety classes set
Rx: Pets: Training to become a Pet Partner set April 25, 26

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Get ready for A Special Day of Caring ‹ for your critters

by Danna Bates

Last year while doing research for an article we found that many seniors didn¹t own pets because they were unable to afford their care and expenses. With the help of Companion Animal Foundation we have been able to overcome that obstacle.

Bonnie Lowry came to the rescue and makes sure that every month we have free dog and cat food for low-income seniors. This program has been quite successful. Any senior who needs dog or cat food can come to the center Monday though Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and select what they need. This helps insure that the pets are getting a correct diet.

We have been monitoring this program for the last year and are looking for ways that we can continue to help seniors and their pets. After surveying seniors we have found that many pets are not getting annual vet checks, needed vaccinations or flea and tick medications.

Companion Animal Foundation, McKinleyville Animal Care Center and the McKinleyville Senior Center will be sponsoring A Special Day of Caring. The proposed programs will be held on a Sunday afternoon sometime this spring or early summer and will feature a variety of health services at a fraction of the cost. What we are proposing is to offer all animals a health exam (which will be required for each pet receiving vaccinations) for a fee of approximately $10. The average fee for this service is $43-$45. Every animal should be examined by a veterinarian every year.

We hope to offer a variety of vaccinations for approximately $2.50 each. We would like to offer professional pet tags, reduced cost micro-chipping and registrations. Microchips and registrations have been responsible for several local pets to be returned to their owners after getting lost. We are still working on all the details of the program, but this is what we are proposing. All the above services and more will be available to eligible seniors in Humboldt County.

To be eligible to you must meet all of the following requirements:

€ Be a resident of Humboldt County

€ Be age 60 or older ( photo ID required at the event)

€ Have an income of $1,300 monthly or less for singles or $1,800 monthly or less for a couple. (Written verification of income will be required at the event.)

€ Pre-register.

When we are able to finalize all the details, we will announce the date and all pertinent information. Once it is finalized, you will be able to call the McKinleyville Senior Center and register over the phone. We will need the following information: your name, address, phone number, income, and number of pets (how many dogs, how many cats).

For those who would like to help with this event there are several ways you can help. We are looking for people who would like to contribute to sponsor micro-chipping so we can offer this at a greatly reduced price. We will also need volunteers to help the day of the event. If you would like to help in any way please contact the McKinleyville Senior Center at 839-0191 or Companion Animal Foundation at 826-7387.

Danna Bates is director of the McKinleyville Senior Center. Her e-mail is dbates@humboldt1.com.