Animal Shelters Celebrate “Chihuahuas de Mayo” with the “Whole Enchihuahua”

Santa Barbara County’s major animal shelters are also offering half off adoption fees for Chihuahuas and mixes as part of the Whole Enchihuahua program.

Free surgeries will be provided for the first 300 dogs signed up. Owners should call one of the following organizations to schedule an appointment:

• SB County Animal Services, Santa Maria Animal Center, at 805.934.6968 (SB County residents only)

• Santa Maria Valley Humane Society at 805.349.3435

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society at 805.688.8224

• Santa Barbara Humane Society at 805.964.4777 ext.20

• Care4Paws at 805.968.CARE (2273)

Participating shelters will be offering half off adoption fees for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes adopted during the month of May, to celebrate “Chihuahuas de Mayo” and draw attention to the overpopulation of Chihuahuas in the shelters. Chihuahuas and related mixes currently represent 40 percent of dogs living in area shelters.

“The fact that all of our shelters have chosen to collaborate on this promotion is an indication of how serious we feel the problem is”, says Jan Glick, Santa Barbara County’s Director of Animal Services. “We want to help pet owners who might not have the money to get their dogs fixed, as well as encouraging prospective dog owners to bring a fun, affectionate dog into their lives.”

Santa Barbara County Animal Services and the three Humane Societies, along with C.A.R.E.4Paws and the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation are part of the Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) Alliance, a coalition of Santa Barbara County animal welfare agencies, shelters, and nonprofit organizations working collaboratively to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure that affordable spay/neuter services are available countywide.