Volunteer heads up the Jackson County Spay and Neuter Your Pets program

For volunteer Sally Mackler, the sign of success is a void.

A dearth of unwanted puppies and kittens in local shelters means she has done her job, says the head of Jackson County’s all-volunteer Spay and Neuter Your Pets program.

"It’s the animals that you don’t see that are our success story," says Mackler. "It’s hard to present that as an image. But overpopulation kills more animals than any disease."

SNYP’s all-volunteer service provides education on the dangers of pet overpopulation as well as information on low-cost spay and neutering options.

Spaying and neutering, Mackler says, "is the cheapest vet visit you’ll ever have."

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Nancy Gustafson of Medford says Mackler’s leadership of SNYP has resulted in getting more than 12,000 animals neutered in the valley.

"She does everything from fund raising to adopting homeless animals for her own," Gustafson says. "From answering calls to trapping alley cats for neutering, to testifying before state panels on protection of wildlife."

Mackler’s interest in animal welfare began in San Diego when an irresponsible neighbor refused to spay his cats. Since a cat can start breeding at 4 months of age, Mackler’s neighborhood was quickly overrun with unwanted and uncared for felines.

"I started looking for help and got educated about animal overpopulation and other humane issues that I was unaware of," she says.

Mackler, 55, soon created an education and awareness group called San Diego Animal Advocates. She also established the Feral Cat Coalition.

When she moved to Jackson County in 1993, Mackler began to work with the Southern Oregon Humane Society and Friends of the Animal Shelter. She served on both shelters’ boards for several years.

"I got involved with SNYP when it was just getting up and running," she says. "Spay and neuter is so important. To reduce the suffering of homeless and unwanted animals, we are addressing the issue at its source."

SNYP board member Vicki Mattson says Mackler is a tireless champion for reducing the unwanted pet population. Mackler’s reputation and extensive experience help pave the way for cooperative action to address this issue, she says.

"She continues to maintain very good relations with local shelters and vets, which is instrumental for our organization because we work extensively with them," Mattson says.

In addition to SNYP, Mackler works with Humane Oregon, a political action committee which is affiliated with Humane USA. She is also Oregon’s wildlife chairwoman for the Sierra Club.

Win or lose, Mackler has put herself on the frontlines for legislative change. She successfully fought to ban hunting cougars with dogs. In February, Mackler battled unsuccessfully to introduce more humane conditions for non-lethal predator trapping. (Oregon law still allows traps to go seven days without being checked under certain conditions.)

Mackler says society needs a change in its collective attitude about animal welfare. Until that comes, she keeps her message simple.

"They are our companion animals and they give so much to us," she says. "They deserve everything we can give back to them to make their lives good."

Do you know someone who’s a Hometown Hero? The first to volunteer when a school or a local family needs help, or someone who has risked his personal safety or financial security to help someone else? Submit suggestions to Mail Tribune reporter Sanne Specht via e-mail at specht@mailtribune.com or by phone at 776-4497.