Although the election may be front and center for many Sacramentans, the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is looking to divert some of that attention to its fall book sale.
The nonprofit organization kicked off its fundraiser Tuesday to fund the care its animals require. Community Engagement Specialist Natalie Vergara explained that this includes costs to run several clinics and programs.
“We see over 40,000 cats a year just for our community cat clinic, so there are a lot of programs that are here to help the community, and the book sale is a part of that,” she said.
Vergara noted that kitten season has been getting longer in Sacramento every year — something she said is adorable, but also a lot of work when it comes to looking for foster families to help offload the high number of animals coming in.
Tulip (left) and Petunia Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Sacramento.Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio
Dawn Foster, director of marketing and communications for the Sacramento SPCA, said they operate one of the top 10 high-volume spay and neuter clinics in the nation performing more than 20,000 surgeries per year. She said that’s because most private vet offices during the pandemic were understaffed and had to prioritize life-saving surgeries, putting spay and neuter surgeries “on the back burner.”
“During that period of time, there were a lot of animals that did not get altered, so that led to accidental litters in both kittens and puppies,” she said. “Also, with the vet shortage in not only our region but also across the nation, it’s still taking a while for folks to get their pets in to get spay and neuter surgeries not only at our organization but also just across all private vets as well.”
She noted that fundraising events like the fall book sale are also critical to be able to provide “high quality” spay and neuter surgeries at a low cost.
“We’re providing access at a lower cost to all the community residents here, so the cost of the surgery is not a barrier itself,” she said. "We don’t want cost to be the barrier.”
Volunteer Kathryn Maffia holds and feeds 9-year-old Biscuit Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Sacramento.Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio
Pamela Von Behren Merritt said she and her family have been coming to the SPCA’s book sales for years. They donate books and also buy them to support the nonprofit.
“There’s a wide variety of books that are inexpensive,” she said. “This is the only way we buy books.”
Her family has adopted many animals from the SPCA and she argued that “it’s important to give back and make sure our animals are taken care of properly.”
“Sometimes people can’t keep their animals so they end up here, and they need help and support,” she added.
Pamela Von Behren Merritt shops for books Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, during the Sacramento SPCA’s fall book sale.Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio
Sheila Compton said she used to volunteer at the Sacramento SPCA. Now, in her 80s, she continues to support the nonprofit by coming to the book sale once a year and by making donations.
“They need the money to take care of the animals,” she said. “Not everybody’s an animal lover and sometimes it’s heartbreaking to see how some people treat the dogs.”
The fall book sale runs through Saturday. The nonprofit also offers an Amazon book sale online for anyone unable to attend in person.
A husky named Keroppi Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the Sacramento SPCA.Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio
The next fundraiser the nonprofit will hold is its 7th annual Jingle Bell Pup Crawl on Dec. 14.
“We participate with several different bars and breweries,” Vergara explained. “You get a map, you get a T-shirt [and] we’re giving out these really cool glasses for the first 100 people who sign up. We also have Santa Paws there so your pet can take a picture with Santa Clause with you.” ‘
More information about the event can be found by visiting the nonprofit’s website.
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