Farms: Pets and Produce Don't Mix Humane Society

"Pets and Produce Don't Mix Campaign"  WHAT:  The "Pets and Produce Campaign" is kicking off as of January 1st, 2014. The program was created by the Humane Society of Yuma, and funded by local agricultural companies such as: Griffin Ranches, JV Smith Farms, and Amigo Farms. The Pets and Produce Campaign was created to both educate the local rural communities about the importance of food safety and keeping pets out of local produce fields & canals, and also facilitating a "proactive" approach by offering those communities spay & neuter clinics to help attack the pet overpopulation and end the desire for pets wanting to mate to stray in those areas.    WHEN:          January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2014 WHERE: Gadsden, San Luis, Wellton, Somerton, and unincorporated areas of Yuma County & City WHY:  "We are very pleased the HSOY has entered into a partnership with the agriculture industry to assist with our food safety requirements.  Stray and domestic animals may pose a contamination threat to our fields that we are diligently working to protect.  Providing education and a spay and neuter program to outlying communities near our production areas will pay off today and in the future.  Farms are constantly trying to reduce the risk of food contamination, so prevention of animal intrusion is one area where we can definitely make a difference." ." states Mary Campbell with Griffin Ranches. "Yuma leafy greens represent a $3.5 billion industry in Arizona with a workforce of over 50,000. It is vital to both our economic well being and our physical health to educate those around us about the importance of this program." states Annette Lagunas, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Yuma