Prevent a Litter, Fix Your Critter

sanbo_0By Debbie Borel Ploeger
Last summer, someone on the Bolivar Peninsula posted in a Facebook group a picture of puppies that she found dumped on the beach. As I, and others, closely followed the thread of comments, we all witnessed the power of passion and purpose at the hands of a small community. One by one, each puppy found their way to a forever home.

Several weeks later, as I walked into Crystal Beach Community Church, I noticed a mama dog that looked to have recently had pups. Immediately, I thought back to the litter that had been dumped and wondered, “Were those her puppies?” Leaving church that day I made an impulse decision and approached the owner and asked “can I, at my expense, take your dog to be spayed?” to which they eagerly said “yes”.

Having no services for animals on the peninsula, I called around until I found a veterinarian close by that would take in a dog that was basically one paw away from being a stray. No medical history, no shots, no papers, but a breath away from going into heat again. Here I was, transporting an unfamiliar dog to a place she clearly didn’t want to go and me thinking the entire time “there must be a better way.”

Dogs SANBO has already had fixed and/or found forever homes

Dogs SANBO has already had fixed and/or found forever homes

Through this same group of people, a discussion was started and someone recommended an organization out Houston called SNAP. As it turns out, they have a mobile clinic that serves Harris County residents by providing FREE spay, neuter and rabies shots for individuals on various forms of financial assistance.

Multiple e-mails and calls were placed until I finally spoke with the manager of their mobile vet clinic and learned, for a price, they would consider bringing the mobile clinic to the Bolivar Peninsula. Finally, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

With this seed of hope, I got on the phone and began networking like crazy. One of my first calls was to Georgia Osten with the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce. That one call led me to the individual who would become my partner in crime over the next several weeks, Debby Ward.

Debbie & Debby

Debbie & Debby

The first day we met, I brought her to meet the dog that had recently been fixed. (YouTube video: SANBO Helps Sheba & Her Pups) During that meeting, the owners told us about “Sheba”, who had recently had puppies, and asked if we would consider paying to have her spayed. After talking to the owner, we learned that this was her 8th or 9th litter and she was worn out and he didn’t think she could go through having another litter. It was truly love at first sight with Sheba, but before she could get fixed, we had nine puppies to deal with.

I wish I could say we were able to find homes for these like the pups from last summer, but that was not (and is not in so many cases) the reality. Five were placed into loving homes off the peninsula, two remain on the peninsula and two were taken in by Houston SPCA after many attempts to place them through our own networking efforts. It was the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make and decided quickly we didn’t want to be in the foster or rescue business. We want to be in the spay and neuter business and do our part to prevent unwanted litters. From there, SANBO (Spay and Neuter Beach Outreach) was born, and we raised enough money through individual donations to have Sheba and three of her pups fixed.

Because SANBO is not a 501c3, TCF Charities has graciously agreed to bring this community project under their umbrella. The endorsement, backing and support of this organization and others in the community, will greatly enhance our fundraising efforts to bring the SNAP Mobile Clinic to the Bolivar Peninsula. A date has been set and we are now accepting applications for your dog or cat to be considered. The mobile clinic can only accommodate around 25 animals in a day so don’t be discouraged if yours does not make the initial cut (no pun intended). Our vision for the program is to raise enough money to fix all our critters and prevent unwanted litters on the peninsula.

For more information on our mission, please visit and “like” our Facebook page, SANBO-Spay & Neuter Beach Outreach. If you would like an application, e-mail Debbie Ploeger at [email protected] or Debby Ward at [email protected] or pick one up at Crystal Beach Community Church, 2nd Going Resale Shop or the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce. It takes a peninsula.

(This article published 1/26/2015)

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20 Responses to “Prevent a Litter, Fix Your Critter”

  1. Nancy Bachman says:

    Kudos to you!!! This is such good news!!I will like your page to keep updated. My 4 bait camp kitties are fixed, plus I kept a stray mama (fixed her & fed her & her 2 babies) then found a home for all three!!! I just wish all pet owners were responsible!!

  2. Gerry Lang says:

    Awesome “SANBO” Outreach ~ Debbie& Debby!
    Proud of your PASSION , big HEARTS and compassion to make Bolivar Peninsula a better place. See you May 8-10th @your SANBO booth ~Texas Crab Festival!
    Keep up the good work, Ladies! Debbie, great article!

  3. Gerry Lang says:

    SANBO D&D team!
    Excellent Outreach!
    Your passion& commitment makes Bolivar Peninsula a better place! Proud of your big hearts& grand visions . See you at your booth @ Texas Crab Fest !
    Thank you Ladies~ Debbie, loved your article!!

  4. Donna says:

    I am so proud of you ladies and all you are doing!!! Thank you and God Bless!!!

  5. Debby Ward says:

    First of all, thank you for all the support and your kind words. If you have Facebook “like” us at SANBO (Spay and Neuter Beach Outreach)there you’ll find all the info you need to sponsor an animal or just contribute to the upcoming Spay Day.

    Mail your check to:
    SANBO, P.O. Box 257, Port Bolivar Texas 77650

    Make check payable to:
    TCF Charities and reference SANBO in memo.

    We’ll also be at the Texas Crab Festival this May so come by and see us there.

  6. Donna T says:

    Thank you for your good work!

  7. MLD says:

    I found one cat and one dog on Crystal beach who were strays. Luckily, I was able to find good homes for both. Unfortunately, I see strays almost every time I drive to Crystal Beach – between Beaumont and CB and Houston and CB. It just kills my soul to see these animals – hungry, thirsty, and probably destined to be hit by a car! I’ll be happy to join the cause!

  8. Bobbey White says:

    Another wonderful way to love and help the animals! Thank you so much for making this your mission!! It is so needed!

  9. Lois Riley says:

    I am sooo happy to see these wonderful individuals taking the initiative to help our neighbors get proper medical treatment for their pets and also the strays on the peninsula. I have 4 beach kitties – all of which I have had neutered and spayed but there are many more strays which continue to have litters. Many times I see these poor kitties come to terrible endings. It is not their fault they are strays, it is ours and our responsibility to try to start correcting what humans have done to these poor defenseless animals. All they want is our love. My little feral kitty does not want to go back to her life in the weeds and loves being inside. I am more than willing to help in any way I can so please let me know where I can assist you incredible ladies!!

  10. Karen Rush says:

    Yay for taking action! We’d like to sponsor one animal.

  11. E. Tinlsley says:

    Where can one donate money for this cause. My cats are fixed, but I would be happy to donate money to help other pets. Would you please publish a line specifically for those that want to donate? Thanks.

    • Debbie Ploeger says:

      Thank you so much. Please e-mail us at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will forward a sponsor form.

    • Donna says:

      Here is the info to donate below! A message from Debby Ward:

      First of all, thank you for all the support and your kind words. If you have Facebook “like” us at SANBO (Spay and Neuter Beach Outreach)there you’ll find all the info you need to sponsor an animal or just contribute to the upcoming Spay Day.

      Mail your check to:
      SANBO, P.O. Box 257, Port Bolivar Texas 77650

      Make check payable to:
      TCF Charities and reference SANBO in memo.

      We’ll also be at the Texas Crab Festival this May so come by and see us there.

  12. edsnyder says:

    good show– great to see people with feelings for the critters–

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