Help Pets Live a Happy and Long Life

Puppies and kittens are no longer wanted, dumped, let loose, given away, or taken to a shelter, especially in the neighbouhoods of Colton. Animals are picked up by animal services, hit by cars, and on rare occasion, taken in to a new loving home off of the street. Because pet owners do not spay or neuter their animal, more animals end up homeless or suffer the previous circumstances. From April to September this year in Colton, 68 cats and 16 dogs were euthanized due to untreatable causes. On average, an unspayed female cat, her mate, and all of their offspring producing two litters per year, with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter totals an additional 12 kittens per year. For an unspayed female dog, her mate and all of their puppies, if none are ever neutered or spayed elicit an average of 16 puppies per year. Not only are dog owners incapable of neutering their animal, many allow their dogs to run loose and do not secure them at home or in the yard. Lousy pet ownership practices are not the only root cause of animal homelessness. Many get rid of their pets as they are moving away or their landlord simply does not allow the owner to have a pet. However, the David Toro Foundation is a non-profit corporation that raises funds to provide free or low cost spay and neutering in the city of Colton, with the intent of growing beyond the city limits. "We need to do everything we can so they have a happy and safe life," says David Toro, Founder and Executive Director. “Every day, animal control officers or regular animal advocates are picking up animals or going to shelters. Animals are at risk of dying." The foundation would also like to extend services to include free or low cost micro chipping, vaccinations, educational materials to promote responsible pet ownership, and funds to rescue animals out of the shelters. "I want to be a resource to help keep them safe and point people in the right direction," Toro says. "We need people to be more responsible, and treat their animals like family." Partnering with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services and the Loma Linda Animal Hospital to provide a discount cost for services, the David Toro Foundation will need to raise $25,500 per year to spay or neuter at the cost of $85. The foundation believes that pets are family and seeking partners that will allow them to provide the necessary services for pets in need and people that want to be responsible pet owners. Your monthly or one time donation can make this possible. To become a supporter of the foundation, donations can be sent via Pay Pal to davidtorofoundation@davidtoro.com. Checks can be mailed to 1467 Teresa Ave. in Colton, Ca. Credit card payment can be made at www.davidtoro.com, under the David Toro Foundation donate button.