SPAY, NEUTER VAN AT WORK 'THE SIMPSONS' CO-CREATOR BACKS WEEKEND EFFORT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Seeking to supplement the city's efforts, a private foundation on Friday unveiled a mobile van to provide free spaying and neutering for pets in Los Angeles.

``This has been a dream for a long time,'' said Sam Simon, writer and co-creator of ``The Simpsons,'' whose foundation underwrites the mobile facility.

``What's good about this for me is all I have to do is write the checks and I get to play with the dogs,'' Simon said at a City Hall news conference where the $500,000 van was displayed.

Under the foundation's grant, the van will be moved around the city for three days a week to provide spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to help control the population of unwanted animals and reduce the pressure on animal shelters.

Teri Austin, president of the foundation, said the facility will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The city already has a mobile van operating Mondays through Thursdays.

The new van's operating cost is estimated at $300,000 a year.

It will operate by appointments only for pet owners, who can call (800) PET-SPAY to make arrangements. Austin said the foundation hopes to perform 3,000 operations a year.

Mayor James Hahn praised the program for what it will do to supplement the city efforts and his own support for having a no-kill policy in city shelters.

``We all know there are too many unwanted cats and dogs on the street,'' said Hahn, whose family has adopted three cats and a dog. ``People talk about there being accidental litters or that it would be good for their dog to have a litter. That's wrong. All it's doing is bringing unwanted pets.''

Austin offered praise of Hahn and the city's policy, saying Los Angeles is one of the few cities in the nation with a no-kill policy.

At the same time, she defended the mayor and the city's Animal Services Department against attacks from groups such as the Animal Defense League.

``I keep hearing that they represent the humane community, but they don't speak for me,'' said Austin. ``All we hear is criticism and don't see a lot of positive action.''

Pamelyn Ferdin of the Animal Defense League, however, questioned Austin's credentials and the city's policies.

``The mayor talks about supporting a no-kill policy, but we don't see where the city has been pro-active,'' Ferdin said. ``The biggest problem we have is the department and its employees who refuse to respond.''

The ADL has been active in protesting the city's policies, including demonstrations at the homes of Hahn, former Director Jerry Greenwalt and acting director Sharon Morris.

Austin said the foundation also is sponsoring a number of other programs, including training dogs to work with the deaf and providing older dogs for senior citizens.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com