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Fuzzy Feelings Where to turn for pet-care help WHEN IT COMES to animals, Americans are a strange and schizophrenic bunch. On the one hand, we spend many millions of hard-earned bucks on pet food and chew toys. We buy raincoats for our dogs, put horses in our wills, and own cats instead of having children. On the other hand, sometimes we're downright beastly to the poor critters. For instance, some 15 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized at animal shelters around the country every year. But let's be fair: taking good care of animals ain't always easy. What if you want to spay or neuter your dog, but your bank account doesn't measure up to your good intentions? What if your beloved Bowser won't stop barking? Where should you turn if Garfield suddenly goes missing? And the situation gets only more complicated when wild animals enter our lives: what the hell can you do if raccoons invade your yard? If these questions have your leash in a tangle, you can relax. North Bay residents have an almost unmatched set of resources to help them with animal-care issues. Low-cost spay-neuter programs, lost-pet websites, full-service humane organizations: we've got them all.--P.S. Sonoma County Humane Society of Sonoma County 5345 Hwy. 12 W., Santa Rosa Main number: 707/542-0882 Spay/Neuter Assistance Program: 707/526-5312 www.sonomahumane.org In addition to sheltering homeless animals, this nonprofit organization offers a low-cost spay/neuter program and free veterinary support for animals whose owners have AIDS. Sonoma County Animal Shelter 1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa Main number: 707/565-7100 Lost and found: 707/565-7104 www.theanimalshelter.org This county-run animal shelter provides online photos of adoptable animals and some limited help with veterinary care. Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter 19686 Eighth St. E., Sonoma 707/996-4577 A private, nonprofit animal shelter, it offers everything from free ID tags and low-cost microchipping identification services to free pet food for low-income families. Petaluma Animal Services 840 Hopper St., Petaluma Main number: 707/778-4396 Spay/neuter coupon program: 707/776-4994 www.petalumaanimalshelter.org This city-run animal shelter offers spay-neuter discount coupons, as well as online tips on animal behavior and a list of local dog parks. Mylostpet.com Charging only a small fee for Sonoma County residents, this website posts pictures and descriptions of their wayward animals. Postings are sorted by city. Marin County Marin Humane Society 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato Main number: 415/883-4621 Spay-neuter program: 415/883-4621, ext. 372 www.marin-humane.org One of the best-funded humane societies in the known universe, the MHS offers a wide range of services, from a low-cost spay-neuter program (male cats can be fixed for a mere $10!) to an online list of local dog parks. Have a dog with some problem behaviors? The MHS animal behavior and training department offers 14 dog-training classes each week, as well as a drop-in clinic (415/883-0116). The organization's website also offers tips on dealing humanely with problem wildlife, from raccoons to deer. Pet Prevent-A-Care 800-3DOG-CAT A mobile vaccination unit that comes to Marin County on a regular basis, it also offers heartworm and leukemia testing. Napa County Humane Society of Napa County 942 W. Imola Ave., Napa Main phone: 707/255-8118 Spay-Neuter Clinic: 707/252-7442 http://www.napahumanesociety.org/ This organization offers low-cost spaying and neutering (just $15 to fix a cat), low-cost vaccinations, and an online photo gallery of animals in the shelter. [ Insider's Guide Index | North Bay | Metroactive Central | Archives ]