Pet owners swamp free spaying, neutering phone line

<p>Interest in a Feb. 20 spay and neuter clinic for cats organized by Sonoma County's animal shelters was so high Tuesday that a phone line dedicated to reserving a spot essentially crashed, organizers said.</p><p>The event is believed to be the largest effort in county history to try and curtail feline overpopulation. Organizers are anticipating 400 people to sign up for the free service but say they will not turn anyone away.</p><p>However, around noon on Tuesday, people who called to reserve a spot were informed that the voice mail box was full or got a busy signal. Organizers urged people to keep trying as they worked with AT&T to try and resolve the phone problems.</p><p>“The spots have not been filled yet,” said Angie Bonnert with the Sonoma Humane Society. “We are retrieving messages as fast as we can.”</p><p>The number to call is 586-6651.</p>