PROD (Promoting Responsible Ownership of Dogs) will be ending operation the last day of November. They will be celebrating their final days with a gathering at the Hood River Library on Sept. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m.
For the last 20 years, PROD has helped to improve the lives of Gorge dogs and cats. PROD is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, and its volunteers have written close to 9,000 certificates for low cost spay and neuters, according to a PROD press release. They have also fostered and found new homes for hundreds of pets, and paid for emergency veterinary care for dogs and cats in need. Fourth and fifth graders know PROD from their “Dogs and Kids” program, which teaches bite prevention and responsible pet ownership. Adults will remember “Dogtalks,” classes presented by local animal professionals covering a variety of topics dealing with pet companions.
PROD has been a valuable resource for all residents of the Gorge who needed help. Their website has lost and found listings, adoption advice, educational information and local business listings. All this has been the creation, and under the direction of PROD’s founder, Cleo Sterling.
“In the 1990s, there were so many unwanted puppies and kittens in the Gorge just being given away in front of stores,” said Sterling. For more than a year, she volunteered for Hood River County, trying to create an awareness of the homeless pet problem. Then, at 4 on a Saturday morning in 1995, inspiration hit. “I had never thought of starting an animal welfare organization before, but the name and structure of PROD came to me.” And that was that. She hasn’t stopped working for the betterment of our pet community since that morning.
While Sterling will be stepping down, three programs that she started will continue as of January 2016. “We are thrilled that the Hood River Adopt-A-Dog organization is willing to continue operating our three remaining programs: PETFIX (spay/neuter), PET-ED (education), and Frankee’s Fund (financial assistance), which has served our community so well,” said Sterling.
Sterling would like to thank the volunteers and veterinarians whose dedicated participation has made success possible: Tucker Road Animal Hospital, Columbia Gorge Veterinary Clinic, All Animal Care, and past participation by Upper Valley Veterinary Clinic and Alpine Veterinary Hospitals. Also, thanks goes to all of local businesses and people of the Gorge who have given generously, she said.
Everyone is invited to the Hood River Library on Sept. 27 for refreshments and to celebrate PROD’s accomplishments as a community.
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