COEUR d'ALENE - Sometimes, humans must take pause for those with paws.

Animal Allies of Idaho, a new nonprofit organization, has taken plenty of pause to configure a way to help sustain a healthy pet population.

The three-member AAID board wants to create an inexpensive spay-and-neuter clinic to help put a cap on the rising number of homeless pets in the Coeur d'Alene area.

"It's an issue that all of us should care about, as stewards of our community and stewards of the natural and animal kingdom," said AAID board member Ronnee McGee, of Coeur d'Alene. "It's apparent that despite the efforts of all the animal rescue groups, our area's cat and dog population is growing faster than the number of good homes who are willing and able to adopt them. I felt I had to do something more to create a brighter future."

McGee has a vision to open and operate a high-quality, high-quantity clinic with a paid professional staff, including a veterinarian and a vet tech who will be well-trained in the necessary protocols.

For this to happen, the organization needs funding and the right location.

"We won't do it until we know it will be sustaining and successful," McGee said. She said the clinic will need to be about 1,000 square feet of commercial space with water and heat in a convenient, easy-to-find Coeur d'Alene location.

"It would be terrific if someone wants to help AAID and also take a tax deduction," she told The Press, explaining that Coeur d'Alene's available spaces are about twice what the organization can afford.

Jason Maag, of Post Falls, shares McGee's vision. He also serves on the AAID board, which came together in January. The local pet store manager said his line of work has really shown him the need to control the homeless pet population, and to try to do it at a fair price.

"It's heartbreaking to see those good hearts in the community and not being able to take care of the problem that is obviously there," he said. He said there just aren't a lot of options for people to take care of their furry friends unless they have a lot of money.

Still, he said he feels hope is around the corner.

"It is a problem that is hopefully going to be addressed," he said.

McGee said the chief reason why people don't spay or neuter their cats and dogs is the cost, hence the desire for an affordable clinic. The organization's website, www.animalalliesid.org, lists other reasons, as well as reasons why it is beneficial to humans and their pets to spay or neuter.

The website also has statistics on just how fast dogs and cats can reproduce and multiply. For example, just one unaltered female cat can produce an average of three litters in one year. In two years, that female and her offspring can potentially produce up to 225 cats.

Meow, that's a lot of kitties.

AAID recently held a "Spay-ghetti and No-balls Party," which brought in just over $1,000. The group is seeking donations and working on receiving grants for the clinic, which will possibly open as early as this fall.

"We welcome as much help as we possibly can," Maag said.

To donate, visit the website or make out checks to AAID, P.O. Box 1674, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816.