Once upon a time, a female cat (we'll call her Missy) met her mate (Mocha), and in nine years they were responsible for 11,606,077 cats! This fairy tale is actually a cautionary tale about the importance of spaying and neutering. How is it possible that two cats can spawn over eleven million, you may ask. Here's how. Cats copulate with great alacrity, which means exponential growth in cat populations. Cats can average three litters a year (they have a 62-day gestation) and they have anywhere from four to six kittens per litter, according to the Humane Shelter of the United States (HSUS) website. Because cats can come into heat at five months of age, by the end of year number one, Missy's first litter of female kittens may themselves be pregnant for the second time, while the males are following in Mocha's footsteps. It's a kitty-style pyramid scheme and it's a nationwide problem. HSUS says that over four million cats are euthanized in shelters each year.

Thanks to the efforts of some dedicated animal lovers, the Bitterroot's cat problem is being addressed on a variety of fronts. This particular cat tale begins behind Stoneydale Press Publishing in Stevensville. It is here that a colony of nine to eleven ferals has been residing for several years. Pat Burke, one of the many bleeding-heart cat lovers in this story and co-owner of Stoneydale, has been watching over them and providing food, but the numbers have been growing. Lydia Henson, a fourteen-year-old eighth grader who lives across the street, also took an interest in the colony. She, too, loves felines and has three of her own at home. Lydia contacted the Fox Hollow Animal Project (FHAP), an organization committed to spaying and neutering.

Enter the cat trappers. For five days, volunteers with FHAP baited and set live traps until all nine ferals had been caught (two of the youngsters who had been domesticated by neighbors were also transported to FHAP's facility). Peg Klouda, a soft spoken registered nurse who works at Community Hospital and lives in Victor, showed me how the traps work and explained the difficulty of trapping these street savvy creatures. Peg has been volunteering with FHAP for one year; she is filled with personal conviction regarding the issue of animal overpopulation. She is not alone.

FHAP's six volunteers hope they can make a decided reduction in Ravalli County's stray population, which in turn relieves the burden on the Bitter Root Humane Shelter. FHAP is a non-profit organization that offers to spay and neuter cats and dogs, ferals and domestics alike. The charge is a modest $25 per cat or dog. They will even spay a mother cat and spay/neuter all of her babies (if they are at least six weeks old) for $25. Jesse Applebury, a lovely whirlwind of a woman, tells me in between feline patients that nobody is turned away, no matter if they can pay or not. The Stoneydale Colony was spayed and neutered at no cost. They were also inoculated, as are all ferals. This is the point of the project - to reach those animals that are feral and to assist people who may not otherwise be able to afford such services. Seniors on fixed incomes, low-income families, ranchers with a barn full of wild ones are all invited to contact FHAP. Jesse tells me they have trapped as many as 92 cats from three separate colonies on one Bitterroot ranch. The day I visited their quiet, tidy, makeshift clinic in a small house near Corvallis, there were eight felines, two of which were actually paying clients.

FHAP averages 15 animals a day but has taken on as many as 25 a day. Jesse says they have spayed and neutered 2400 animals so far in their year-and-a-half existence. This facility's success rate is a credit to the retired veterinarian at the helm, his wife of 15 years, and to the dedicated volunteers who spend four to twenty hours a week helping out. Susi and Alex Duncan, mother and daughter volunteers, came to FHAP as clients and remained to volunteer for the past year. Alex boldly defines her frequent role, "I'm the stupid one who will put my hand in the cage." It takes a brave and experienced soul to maneuver tough street toms that have never been touched but FHAP is staffed by seasoned veterans and avid pet people. They operate so smoothly that soon there is a line of anesthetized cats before me, each bearing a sticky note with their origin or owner's name, weight, and age on it, each tucked neatly side-by-side under a burgundy blanket. Their bellies move slowly and smoothly, up and down. And I heard not a single meow in the process. These folks have it down.

There is always room for good volunteer help and FHAP is no exception. Volunteers are involved in a myriad of tasks at the clinic. They log information on each cat and keep abreast of the growing political demands for more county action. Tami Ritchson reminds readers to support an upcoming licensing proposal that could help fund county-wide spay/neuter programs. Other volunteers clean tools in the ultrasound sterilizer and a gurgling steamer (the Autoclave), they clean cages, and handle animals. They carefully care for logy patients until it is time for them to return to their cages. They crack jokes. Marilyn Taylor, who Jesse touts as a pillar because "she has been with us since the beginning," says one of her family members is threatening to "load up a boxcar in Yuma." This sounds like one of those humorous backward compliments, as if FHAP is so good they might just run out of ferals and need to import work. The image, though, is very funny, a boxcar filled with feuding felines, fur flying, bound for the Big Sky state. In truth, nothing would make these people happier than to see the animal population in Montana this in-check.

The house veterinarian explains that the most crucial time to spay and neuter is before March 1; this helps prevent the onslaught of spring kittens. He has been operating on animals in Montana since 1980. In his retirement, if you could call him retired, he has taken his mobile spay and neuter clinic all over the state: Havre, Rocky Boy, Lame Deer, Crow Agency, Butte, Kalispell, Missoula, and Dillon have all received the services of this selfless man. He has a vision that Montana can follow New Hampshire's lead, where humane shelters were able to spur a legislative campaign for a state-funded spay/neuter program. This program, which was funded by a $2 surcharge on dog licenses, was so successful that New Hampshire "reached the lowest euthanasia rate per thousand people in the United States" (www.aspca.org). Two thirds of the state's licensed vets took part and the program resulted in a significant 26% drop in admission at NH shelters and a stunning 77% reduction in the euthanasia rate.

FHAP's sole vet, who desires to remain nameless (he takes some heat from other vets for providing a service they provide, but at a greatly reduced rate), says that he really doesn't offer reasonable competition to other vets because his clientele is largely low-income. New Hampshire's great success hinged on the same principle - take the services to the people who need them most.

The vet also says it's way easier and faster to fix a cat or dog in their youth. A juvenile male cat takes less than thirty seconds after being anesthetized; a female is a five-minute procedure. But if a dog, for instance, is older and has had a litter of pups, the procedure can be as long as thirty minutes. This doesn't mean the staff is careless. They have very modern and very clean equipment and they have lost only one anesthetized animal out of 2400, good numbers considering some of the rough customers they fix. A young, female dog now lies face up on one of the two tables. I listen with fascination to the doot-doot-doot of the apnea monitor that alerts the vet to any breathing irregularities. She is young, healthy-looking, and unlikely to have complications. Two other benefits to fixing pets early in life are that they tend to stay home with more regularity, and secondly, the chances of health complications later in life are decreased.

Currently, the clinic operates on Tuesdays doing only shelter animals and Wednesdays for the general public, but they also open on an as-needed basis. Jesse says they worked on New Year's Day to accommodate people who had the day off. Some weeks they work four days. They are pushing to beat the thaw because as soon as things get nice, kitties get frisky.

Some of the kitties who won't be getting frisky this spring will be living in a lot behind Stoneydale Press. The beauty of spaying and neutering an entire colony is that the colony will not continue to grow. Cats are very protective of their territory and they will keep out unfixed visitors who might add to their numbers. And the colony can be visually monitored from a distance because FHAP-treated ferals have a tiny triangle of their left ear removed. Lydia and Pat will be feeding these felines with cat food courtesy of Bitterroot Community Market; the owners have agreed to donate any broken bags of food. Bob Gingerich kicked in half-price straw for the building of a cat house to protect them from the elements. Thus, a potential public annoyance has turned into a positive community builder.

Contact Fox Hollow Animal Project at 273-6007 if you need to have a cat or dog neutered or spayed, or if you wish to volunteer, or if you would like to make a cash donation, like Ted Babiak, who gave FHAP $10,000 to finance roughly 400 spays or neuters.

Forest Services seeks input on recreation services and fees

The Bitterroot National Forest is inviting people to help evaluate the Forest's developed recreation program to ensure managers are focusing on visitors' priorities while providing a quality recreation experience at campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, and developed trailheads. Public input is needed by January 31.

Each National Forest in the nation is taking steps to prioritize the management of its recreation facilities. The process, known as Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RS-FPM), will result in a five-year program of work that will focus the Forest Service�s management of developed recreation sites to provide the best recreation opportunities, in the right places, based on the realities of current budgets, resource needs, and current and expected user preferences.

"The Forest is committed to responsibly serving the public by efficiently operating and, when necessary, modifying the services we offer to ensure recreation sites provide the right opportunities in the right places," said Forest Supervisor Dave Bull.

"All of the developed recreation sites on the Bitterroot are proposed for continued operation," stated Sue Heald, Forest Recreation Staff Officer. "However, considering the increases we are seeing in use coupled with the decline we are experiencing in our operating budgets, we cannot continue to manage all sites at the same level we have in the past. Possible scenarios we have looked at include implementing shorter operating seasons, reducing the services provided such as drinking water or picnic tables, or seeking partners and volunteers to help maintain sites."

Part of the planning process is to consider recreation fees to help manage public needs. A minimum of 80% of recreation fees collected on Forest are invested back into the Bitterroot's fee sites. For the 2007 season the Forest is proposing a fee increase at the Lake Como Recreation Area. The proposed day use fee would be $5.00 per vehicle and the season pass $30.00 per vehicle (plus $5.00 for one extra vehicle per family). The Lake Como day and season fees have not been increased from the original fees of $2.00 per day or $20 per season since they were put in place in 1998.

The Forest has used the Lake Como Recreation fees to provide additional patrols, install new picnic tables, complete maintenance work such as repairing tables and fire rings, and to construct new parking lots for the beach area and for Rock Creek Trailhead. "These are on-the-ground improvements that would not have been possible without the fees we collect on site. Our list of projects continues to grow as the does the use," said Chuck Oliver, Darby District Ranger.

The Bitterroot Forest has completed preliminary work for the RS-FMP 5-Year Program of Work. The Forest will host a "Lunch and Learn" presentation and open house on Wednesday, January 24 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to present their initial ideas. The meeting will be held at the Forest Supervisor's Office on N. 1st Street in Hamilton and participants are invited to bring a brown bag lunch, hear the Forest's preliminary ideas and visit with recreation program managers.

Other options exist for those who cannot make this meeting. A summary of this information is available for public review on the Bitterroot National Forest web page and at all offices. Forest staff members are available to make presentations to groups to provide people with a chance to review the proposed five-year program of work and discuss the proposals with forest managers.

"We would like to give everyone a chance to look over the program we are proposing, and to help us explore creative ways to continue providing recreation opportunities that are sustainable over time," stated Sue Heald. For more information visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/recreation. To schedule a presentation contact Sue Heald at 363-7100 or Mary Laws at 821-4252.

Montana awarded $1.2 million in fuels reduction fund

The Montana DNRC has received preliminary notification that it will receive nearly $1.2 million in federal grant funding for fuels mitigation projects throughout the state. The funding will be used for projects in Missoula, Flathead, Mineral, Ravalli, Lincoln, Sanders, Lewis & Clark and Stillwater Counties.

The grant program, called the Western Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program, provides funding for fuels mitigation, education, prevention and homeowner action projects throughout the western United States. The USDA Forest Service provides the funds, which are delivered to grant recipients through state foresters and their network of project partners.

"Montana competes with 17 western states and protectorates, such as American Samoa and Guam, for the available funding," said DNRC Director Mary Sexton. "We submitted 10 proposals totaling about $1.7 million - to have six funded for $1.2 million is great news." Sexton noted that the funds for actual project work won't be available until July 1, but that will provide grant recipients with time to prepare to begin work over the summer.

DNRC National Fire Plan Coordinator Paula Rosenthal explained how the DNRC would implement the funded projects. "We have a network of local government partners and other organizations, such as Resource Conservation & Development Areas (RC&Ds) who will manage these mitigation projects at the local level," said Rosenthal. "They provide technical expertise, fiscal and administrative oversight, and project management to ensure that the goals of the project are met."

Once completed, the approved projects represent hazardous fuels reduction treatment on approximately 1900 acres of private property within the wildland urban interface. All programs are offered as a cost-sharing partnership with homeowners, who not only pay for part of the work, but must agree to maintain the project into the future. Most projects also contain an education element to provide resources for homeowners about how to protect their property from wildfires.

Applications for next year's Western Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program will be available mid-June. Communities, homeowner groups, and fire agencies should be reviewing their Community Wildfire Protection Plans and designing projects in high priority areas ahead of the application period, Rosenthal said.

The DNRC administers another fuels mitigation grant program in direct partnership with the Forest Service. The Community Protection Fuels Mitigation (CPFM) Grant Program provides cost-share assistance for fuels treatment on non-federal lands adjacent to federal lands that are also scheduled for treatments. It provides an opportunity for landscape level treatment across ownerships. The application period for the CPFM Program opens May 1.

For additional information about the National Fire Plan or available fuels mitigation grant assistance, contact Paula Rosenthal at DNRC's Fire & Aviation Management Bureau, 542-4335.

North Valley Library receives computer grant

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville has received a $2290 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to upgrade computers previously granted by the foundation. The grant will allow the library to sustain free, high quality access to computers and the Internet for library patrons.

Millions of Americans rely on library computers to do research for school or work, take distance-learning classes, find health information, communicate with family and friends, and keep up with current events. In communities with lower incomes, libraries often provide the only Internet access.

"Computer and Internet access has become one of the key services that our patrons demand most," said Renee McGrath, Library Director. "It is critical that we have the resources necessary to sustain this service so that our libraries can help Stevensville citizens access the information they need to live engaged, successful lives."

The grant is part of the foundation's U.S. Library Program, which supports the efforts of public libraries to offer free access to computers, the Internet, and digital information in communities throughout the United States. In 2000, the foundation gave two computers to the North Valley Public Library. Due to technology advances, upgrades to the software and hardware are required to ensure that all libraries are able to sustain the initial investment in connectivity for their patrons.

"Libraries deserve to have the necessary resources to provide library patrons with efficient technology," said Jill Nishi, senior program officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Library Program. "It is now important for libraries to receive continued support from the community - government, businesses, foundations, and citizens - to maintain this technology and provide upgrades in the future."

The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main in Stevensville and serves more than 26,000 people each year. For more information, call 777-5061.

Hendzels celebrate golden anniversary

Frank and Golda Hendzel celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in their home with the help of family and friends on January 13. They were married January 12, 1957 at Golda (Langley's) parents' home in Hamilton. They raised two boys and two girls. They now have 12 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Frank spent many years as a welder ending by retiring from Selway Corporation. Golda retired from Safeway Inc. after 30 years and she now substitutes at the Stevensville school. They spend a lot of time traveling in their motor home with the Good Sams.

Wedding - Hanson-Powers

Meghan Hanson and Aaron Powers were united in marriage at their home in Victor, Idaho on September 2, 2006. Meghan is the daughter of Tom and Katie Hanson of Victor, Montana and Aaron is the son of Deborah and Robert Powers of Lowell, Vermont.

Club Notes - American Legion Auxiliary

On December 27, the American Legion Auxiliary assisted the American Red Cross Blood Drive held at Stevensville Feed and Farm by providing refreshments to the donors, and staffing the sign-up and information table. Auxiliary members Karla Giese, Sandy McDonald, Sharon Wheeler, Kathy Street and Kathy Frazier participated. The Auxiliary plans to continue this project in the future.

Obituaries

Justin Uriarte
1953-2006

Justin Dell Uriarte, 53, of Stevensville, died at his home peacefully on January 7, 2007, surrounded by his family and in the arms of his sons, daughter and wife.

He was born on May 29, 1953 in Park City, Utah to Joe and Shirley (Ryan) Uriarte.

Through his father, Justin developed a love for the outdoors and he passed this affection on to his own children. While in high school he excelled in basketball, football and track and he displayed a leadership roll as senior class president and lettermen president. He was also part of the All State Football Team and he belonged to the Park City Ski Team. Upon completion of high school, Justin attended the Utah Technical College, obtaining an associates degree in auto mechanics.

On June 6, 1975, he married Tangee Rae Sanchez at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Park City. The couple began their family in West Jordan, Utah where they raised three children until 1990, when they moved to Stevensville.

As a Class A pipe-fitter/welder, Justin worked primarily in Salt Lake City and Stevensville. He worked briefly in Texas and Colorado and he considered his skill an art. Justin's greatest joy was his family and they will truly miss his presence in their lives. His two sons, daughter, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law and three grandchildren were the apples of his eye.

Justin is survived by his wife Tangee, sons Justin and Christopher (Sharlott) Uriarte, and daughter Amanda (Chris) Henley; grandchildren, Jade, Kahner and Kailiyah; his parents Joe and Shirley Uriarte; sisters and brothers Deborah (Dave) Davenport, Carol (Ken) Roberts, Tony Uriarte, Barbara (Cliff) Martinez, and Mark (Julie) Uriarte, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial mass was held on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Michael Smith officiating.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

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