Laura Gann , left , is CAAP treasurer . Carolyn Mireles is a board member / PHOTO by MICHELLE CHARLES
COMPANION ANIMAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM marks 20 years helping local pets
It ’ s been 20 years since a group of people committed to helping animals decided to do something about the number of unwanted pets filling area shelters by addressing the root cause . And they have lived up to that commitment .
S
ince it was founded , the Companion Animal Assistance Program has done what it can to stem the tide of pet overpopulation in Stillwater and the surrounding area by making sure more than 14,500 cats and dogs are spayed or neutered . That ’ s important not only because of the animals helped , but also because it prevented even more unwanted animals from being born and winding up on the streets or in shelters .
Most organizations that deal with rescue and overpopulation estimate a mature female cat can have three litters with at least four kittens each year , and they reproduce throughout their lives – sometimes as long as 15 years . That 180 kittens sounds like a lot until you look at a model from the North Shore Animal League that demonstrates almost exponential population growth over the course of eight years from a single breeding pair .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 40