Thousands of potential stray dogs and cats were prevented from being conceived thanks to the hundreds of people who brought their pets to the Guam Animals In Need sterilization clinic from Feb. 3 to 9.

According to GAIN, more than 350 animals were sterilized during the one-week clinic, in which an all-volunteer crew, including medical staff, handled everything from the check in of the animals to recovery. Local businesses donated food, supplies as well as the warehouse in which the clinic was held.

"Volunteers made this event happen," said Cindy Bartels, GAIN president. "Without them and the support of the local community, the GAIN SNAP Clinic would not be the huge success that it is year after year."

Sterilization clinics such as these have a direct impact on the population of indigenous species, said Cheryl Calaustro, wildlife biologist with the Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources.

Stray animals and other invasive species have had a severe impact to native wildlife. A reduction in the feral animal population means there could be a chance endangered species, such as the native koko bird, can be reintroduced into the wild.

For the past 20 years, the SNAP clinic is only one project in GAIN's list of tasks. The organization has also been instrumental in the greyhound rescue project, spearheading the campaign for the local community to report abused and abandoned dogs as well as the transport of dozens of greyhounds to mainland rescue groups after the closure of Guam Greyhound Park. To date, more than 39 greyhounds have been placed in homes across the nation thanks to the efforts of GAIN volunteers.

The organization continues its educational projects, reaching out to lawmakers, schools and businesses, spreading its message that animal welfare and the stray population is not an isolated issue, but one that affects the entire community.

Now in its 20th year, GAIN continues to spread its message with the new Friends In Need radio show, 7 p.m. Monday nights on K57 and is scheduled to present workshops at the annual Youth for Youth conference in April.

"These are just a few of the projects planned for 2009," said Bartels. "We have many more projects in the wings."

For more information, please visit GAIN's Web site at www.guamanimals.org, e-mail guamanimals@yahoo.com or call 653-GAIN (4246).