Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
News Specialist Shelley Osterloh reporting One of Utah's speciality license plates is credited with saving thousands of lives. Utah's No More Homeless Pets License Plate is now one year old, and promoters say the program is working great. It has raised about 20 thousand dollars, money that is used to help spay and neuter about a thousand cats and dogs.
The goal is to have no more homeless pets in Utah by the year 2005. The License plate program just survived elimination from the legislature proponents say, because it saves lives and money.
Vanessa Hamilton-Highfield Pet License Plate Program: - " IF YOU COUNT IN THE COST OF FEEDING THEM AND CARING FOR THEM, AND THEN EUTHANASIA... IT WOULD HAVE COST THE TAXPAYERS, 120 THOUSAND DOLLARS... SO WE ARE REALLY HAPPY AND WE WANT THE LAWMAKERS TO KNOW HOW NECESSARY THE PLATE IS AND THAT WE WANT TO KEEP IT, BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH MONEY ITS SAVING AND HOW MANY LIVES IT IS SAVING. "
At Furburbia, a pet adoption store operated by several local shelters and animal rescue groups, they are helping the battle to reduce unwanted pets on two fronts: encouraging people to spay and neuter their animals, and helping people adopt those who are homeless.
Like a cat named BLUE, who has extra toes and is considered a living lucky charm.
Or a pup, who loves to hike.
Or Coco, who was abused and can be aggressive with children. They say he still could be make a great pet for an adult.
Rescue workers say its all about finding the right match
Kip Peterson Best Friends West Valley: - "WE LOOK REALLY HARD FOR THOSE PERFECT HOMES, WE DON'T WANT THESE DOGS COMING BACK TO THE SHELTER, WE WANT TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE SHELTER, WE BASICALLY WANT A HOME FOR LIFE. "
And if you have already purchased your pet license plate you can bring your pet in and have pet psychic -- Patty Rayman read its thoughts.
Patty Rayman, Pet Psychic: - " AND SOMETIMES THEY WANTED TO BE THE ONLY CAT, SOMETIMES THEY LIKE TO HAVE OTHER ANIMALS AROUND, SOMETIMES THEY GET JEALOUS OF A NEW BABY , THEY HAVE ALL KINDS OF ISSUES"
