Help community program ARK
Overpopulation of animals in Kingsville and Kleberg County is an issue one local organization and two university clubs are trying to remedy.
“There are a few reasons that overpopulation is such a big issue in our area,” Animal Rescue Kleberg (ARK) Board President Joy Aynsley said. “For one, our climate allows year-round breeding and survival. Other areas have harsh winters where any pets on the streets don’t survive. Another reason is lack of resources and education for getting pets sterilized and proper care. Our community needs to recognize that the problem belongs to all of us and needs all of us to solve it. We can all start by ensuring any pets in our care are sterilized and then start helping our neighbors.”
On campus, many students are involved in helping solve this issue including Texas A&M University Kingsville’s Veterinary Technology Program (VTP), which also founded the Vet Tech Club (VTC).
The club’s mission started in 2017 with the goal to educate and support students who want to pursue a career as a Veterinary Technologist to help educate students and public on basic animal care.
“The VTP helps control overpopulation by performing spay and neuter on a certain number of shelter dogs during the semester. This keeps dogs from breeding which keeps the population down,” junior Animal Science major with a concentration in Veterinary Technology and VTC member Caitlin Rose said.
Another program at TAMUK that aids in fostering and adoption is the Pre-Vet Club. The club was founded in 2014 with the mission to come together to prepare for each student’s pathway to vet school and to form a social structure for individual career success. The PVC participates in helping get the dogs ready for adoption by bathing them. The club does many outreach events to help the community.
“To help in lowering the overpopulation of animals in the animal shelter, the Pre-Vet program has a PVC that is all about giving back to the community. The club is always partnering with the ARK in various ways. The club and students are always willing to lend a helping hand wherever they can. The club puts on various events such as donation drives or adoption events at Petsense,” senior Pre-Vet major and PVC member Andrea Garcia said.
ARK offers low cost spay and neuter clinics to the residents of Kingsville and surrounding cities throughout the year. When funding is available ARK will completely sponsor a spay and neuter clinic for the residents of Kleberg County, to help lower the overpopulation of pets on city and county streets. ARK hosts information sessions to the public during which animal owners can be advised on how to properly care for their pets, receive needed supplies and help with guidance to solve any issue that may cause an individual to surrender their animal.
ARK currently has 14 dogs and 34 cats at their facility waiting to be adopted.
To aid in the overpopulation crisis and to adopt local animals, contact the ARK at 361-516-1456. To view available animals up for adoption, search City of Kingsville Health Department Animal Control and Care Center or Animal Rescue Kingsville on Facebook.
If you are interested in fostering an animal, contact Kingsville Animal Advocates on Facebook or search for @Kingsvilleanimaladvocates and @kingsvilleanimaladvocates on Instagram.