It's a staggering number no matter how you look at it: 500,000. That's what some groups figure how many offspring one unaltered female companion animal can produce in seven years.

Here's the math: Female dogs can have two litters a year, with an average of six to 10 puppies per litter. Female cats can have three litters a year, producing four to six kittens at a time. Let's say that one female animal has four females once a year, and each of those females has four females each year for seven years, producing 250,000 female animals. So after seven years, that first animal is responsible for 500,000 offspring.

That kind of math hurts the head; even more pain comes with thinking about what to do with all those animals. Many, of course, wind up homeless, crowding the animal shelters or worse, euthanized for lack of space.

It's estimated that between 3 million and 4 million animals are put to sleep every year in animal shelters throughout the country. It's a quiet outrage that many people are working hard to stop or reduce.

And it begins at home. Recently, Claudia Inoue and her friend, Sara Easterson-Bond, sponsored the Santa Fe animal shelter's spay and neuter van for Chimayó for one day. Inoue, a relentless advocate of altering animals and who also created the Rico Fund for Little Brown Dogs — a fund that helps cut the cost of altering through the shelter's wellness clinic — created a buzz among friends to raise the $2,200 needed to sponsor the van.

Some 35 animals were altered Saturday — a good day for the van — and more put their names on a waiting list for the next time the van is in the area. Inoue, who attended the event, was naturally ecstatic over the outcome.

Tom Parker, the veterinarian who is often a part of the van's mobile work, which also offers vaccinations and other routine veterinary services, told Inoue that the event was one of the best first days in a community that the van's ever had.

Inoue's already hard at work raising funds for the van's next visit. She'd like everyone to know how easy it is to sponsor a van, and how much a difference the simple surgery makes. She encourages businesses to help sponsor a van for their community and urges others to get involved.

"The flood of animals with no home is huge," Inoue says, "but we can all make a difference, one spayed or neutered animal at a time."

People can also sponsor a spay or neutering for $20. Certificates are available at
the shelter's wellness clinic, 2570-B Camino Entrada, between Kohl's and Outback Steakhouse off Cerrillos Road.

• • •

Monster's one of those gregarious pit bulls who loves people and animals. So when Georg Musmacher discovered his best buddy had slipped out of his leash and chewed a hole through a friend's fence near DeVargas Center, he quickly went looking where people congregate.

Unfortunately, Monster's journey took a sad turn. On Musmacher's way back from the mall, Monster was hit by a truck on Paseo de Peralta. Musmacher heard the yelps and saw a sport utility vehicle speed away. Musmacher quickly took his injured friend to Smith Veterinary Hospital for treatment. The dog's injuries were severe — a broken front leg and back leg, along with what Musmacher describes at the worst road rash ever — his left side, along with his front leg, has been described as an open wound.

But Monster's a tough dog who hates to be without his buddy; he's frequently seen riding around town on a trailer behind Musmacher's scooter. Monster was recently released from the hospital's intensive care, but must return every other day for wound care and new bandages.

It's a long healing process that will likely take about three weeks, said one attending Smith veterinarian. But the dog's getting better. "He's in pain, but he's a good guy and he's got pretty good medicine," Musmacher said. "His tail's wagging."

Musmacher's veterinary bills, however, are piling up. He's been asking for help on several websites and has been busy posting fliers around town. So far, friends and well-wishers have put up about $1,800 toward the bills, but more will be needed as the healing process continues.

Those interested in helping can contribute directly to Monster's bills at Smith, 600 Alta Vista St., or contact Musmacher at 505-982-4418.

• • •

Tiny, the little Pomeranian allegedly shot by an angry neighbor over barking, died Wednesday, said a spokeswoman with Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of Santa Fe.

Police charged John Carl, 47, with two counts of cruelty to animals after Saturday's incident. Carl, according to police, shot Tiny and Heidi, a schnauzer, with an air pellet gun on Mesa Verde Street. He reportedly told police the dogs' barking drove him to it.

Heidi's injuries were not serious, said the pets' owner, José Sanchez, who told The New Mexican his neighbor never complained about the dogs' barking. Sanchez, who moved to the home about six months ago, said he'd never met his neighbor. Tiny was paralyzed from his injuries, and his owners decided Wednesday to end the dog's suffering.

Under state law, cruelty to animals becomes a fourth-degree felony when a person "intentionally or maliciously" injures or kills an animal. Carl could get up to three years in prison if found guilty of both charges.

Ben Swan, special projects manager for the Santa Fe
animal shelter, writes about animal-welfare issues. Contact him about animal stories
and animal-related events at 603-8075 or santafescoop@gmail.com.