INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In full surgical gear, including hairnets, gloves, masks and booties, campers attended the first day of the Humane Society Summer Camp and performed a mock spay surgery on stuffed bears.
When campers entered the “surgery room” they saw four tables setup with their gear.
“I feel like an elf,” said Gabi Carpenter, 10, when she put on her booties.
The “surgeons” were surprised that their patients were to be stuffed bears, on which they performed spaying procedures.
One group, when they were searching for replica reproductive organs, pulled out some of the stuffing instead, which cracked up them and their parents who had arrived near the end of the camp day.
Earlier, the campers witnessed an actual surgery.
Janet Winikoff, of the Humane Society, was quick to remind campers during the mock surgery that in real life you would never want to do this at home.
During snack time campers were reminded how important it is to have pets spayed or neutered.
If you start out with two dogs that aren’t fixed, according to Winikoff, if those animal continue to reproduce in six years there could be up to 67,000 dogs born.
“For all those people who say ‘I just want my dog to have one litter,’well you know what, there are a lot of people out there that are thinking the same thing,” said Winikoff. “But they just keep having litters and litters, litters of puppies, litters of puppies, and then they can’t find homes for them and where do you think those animals wind up? Here.”
In seven years a breeding pair of cats – and their offspring – could have 420,000 cats, according to Winikoff.
It is the state law to spay/neuter pets before they leave the Humane Society.
“We want to make sure animals have a loving home, and that’s why we spay and neuter,” said Winikoff.
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is putting on the half-day courses through June 28. Other courses will also be held July 8-12.
A variety of topics will be covered, including dog care and training, cat care, pet first aid and CPR, and pet photography.
For more information about children’s classes or to register, visit the shelter’s online calendar at www.HSVB.org or call the Education Department at (772) 388-3331 ext. 18.
