YAPS volunteer helping Gabbs dogs to find their forever homes.
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff 
“I always liked dogs, but I don’t think that I truly learned to love them until I started volunteering at the animal shelter” says Donna Parrott. Though she is no longer able to assist there, she continues her involvement in animal welfare as the Vice Chair for
Yerington Animal Protection Society (YAPS). However, after a recent meeting with Bev Beaman, the volunteer manager of the
Yerington Animal Shelter, she learned about the predicament of the Gabbs dogs and said “I made up my mind and that I’ve got to do something.”
No stranger to canines, with five dogs of her own, she decided to foster two seniors from Gabbs for the Yerington Animal Shelter.
Tina Louise may be graying around the muzzle a bit, but you would not know it by the way she loves to play ball. In fact, Tina can outlast Parrott, who says, “She’s got a lot of life in her.”
(
Tina, always the fashion queen, sporting one of her lovely sweaters.)
Unlike many of the other Gabbs dogs, the eight to ten year old Doberman mix has not been shy at all. She is lovable and would be a wonderful companion for an elderly individual, who still likes to get out and throw a ball.
(
Baby is hoping for a home to call his own.)
Baby is an unusual name for a ten year old dog, but it suits him fine. He is a bit wary of new people; however, Parrott states that “Once he gets to know you, he’ll come right up to you.” In fact, he loves attention from his friends. One could say he is a Heinz 57 mix, perhaps he has some lab and maybe some shepherd, but he does not really care about such things and just wants a loving home. Baby has started to look better and better as he receives some extra grooming from Parrott, who adores looking into his sweet face.
Both are easy going, walk well on a leash, and would love nothing better that a nice quiet home. Parrot comments, “I just hope someone will give them a chance and make their last years happy.”
YAPS – a much needed community resourceFostering is only one of the many ways that the individuals from YAPS and the Yerington Animal Shelter collaborate on behalf of the animals in their community. Both organizations work closely together to sterilize and rehome many Yerington area animals.
YAPS originally started as the Duke Memorial Fund in 1997; however, when they submitted for their 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2001, the name changed to Yerington Animal Protection Society. It is no coincidence that YAPS is SPAY spelled backward, since that is the organization’s main focus. Along with the assistance of two local vets, they have subsidized the sterilization of over 3,000 cats and dogs.
For years they have offered a low-cost spay/neuter option to the needy residents of Yerington, Mason, Smith and Wellington, Nevada. Through a program with the local vets, the client only pays half price to fix their pets; YAPS pays 25% while the veterinarian discounts an additional 25%. In past years, this program has only run for a few months surrounding
Spay Day; however, starting in February the group will be offering 20 vouchers per month through December. Because the need for sterilization surgery is year round, Jean Crabtree, Treasurer of YAPS, says, “It gives everyone more of an opportunity to take advantage of the program.” Thus new pets, or those who are initially too young, are eligible at any point throughout the year, lessening the risk of unwanted litters.
In addition to the vouchers available to the public, YAPS offers the same reduced fee vouchers for all Yerington Animal Shelter dogs. Occasionally through the year, and at Christmas, they pay 100% of the cost. Aware of the same need for felines, last summer, YAPS hosted a free cat sterilization clinic for both domestic and feral cats.
In addition to the spay/neuter focus, YAPS also offers financial assistance with veterinary bills for senior citizens and other people in need. Over the years they have spent thousands of dollars to aid those who could not otherwise afford to care for their pets. To date, they have not turned down an application for help and even donated $500 toward the training of a service dog for an autistic child.
The majority of the financing for these programs has been earned at Tahoe Tails and Trails, an annual dog walk and run held at Lake Tahoe. However this year, they are planning Laps for YAPS, their own event in Yerington. People and their dogs who join in the fun can run in a 5K, 10K, or choose the less vigorous two mile walk. Sponsors and participants for the June event are needed.
Spay and neuter surgeries are further funded by their ongoing project, "Save a Can and Save a Stray." Throughout the week, a supportive community deposits aluminum cans at the Kritter Kafe. YAPS members, Gary Crabtree and Keith Leinhart, collect and smash the cans for recycling on a weekly basis.
Once a year is Santa Pet Picture Day, with proceeds going to fund the YAPS voucher program. While it is not a huge money maker for the organization, it is fun for the community and helps them to spread the spay/neuter message and showcase some of the many wonderful Yerington Animal Shelter dogs available for adoption.
Crabtree stresses “The dedication of the people on the board and membership working together are what makes these programs possible.”
How you can help:• If you have a peaceful home, and are in search of a dog that is well beyond his or her puppy years, please consider adopting
Tina Louise or
Baby.
• There are many other
dogs who are available for adoption from Yerington Animal Shelter. Any dog that is rehomed frees up a space to help save additional Gabbs canines.
• Support YAPS in their effort to provide affordable spay and neuter opportunities to Mason and Smith Valleys. Donations can be sent to the address below.
For more information: •
Mason Valley News: YAPS Year Round Spay/Neuter Program starting February 4 Yerington Animal Protection Society (YAPS)123 North Main Street
Yerington, Nevada 89447
Phone: 775-463-PETS (7387)
Yerington Animal Shelter217 Trowbridge
Yerington, Nevada 89447
Phone: 775-463-6578
Photo credit: Photos of Tina Louise and Baby provided courtesy of Yerington Animal Shelter. Photos from Tahoe Tails and Trails and Santa Pet Picture Day courtesy of the Yerington Animal Protection Society.