LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control is getting some much-needed assistance in the effort to reduce the county's cat population and its high euthanasia rates.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has awarded Animal Care and Control a $10,000 grant, according to department Director Bill Davidson.

Davidson said the grant will make it possible for Animal Care and Control to offer increased spay/neuter services for community cats – described as felines who roam neighborhoods and don't have a specific home.

During the coming 2012-13 fiscal year – which begins July 1 – Animal Care and Control will offer free spaying and neutering, rabies vaccines and ear notching on all free roaming neighborhood cats, Davidson said.

That means, if it’s not your cat, but roams your neighborhood, and you're willing to return it after treatment, Animal Care and Control will offer free spay/neuter, vaccination and ear notching services, Davidson reported.

Davidson said Dr. Anthony Wong and Dr. Richard Bachman will perform the surgeries at Animal Care and Control's veterinary clinic, located behind the shelter at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.

The ASPCA awards millions of dollars in such grants to animal welfare programs across the United States.

The group reported that it has granted $5 million in the first three months of 2012 alone, with $1.5 million going to support 120 spay/neuter programs.

For more information on the community cat program, call Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .