Pet Overpopulation

During the period of February 16, 2013, through February 25, 2013, Douglas County Animal Control staff and HOPE (Helping Orphan Pets Everywhere) in Douglas County volunteers adopted, fostered out, redeemed toowner, or transferred to rescues 60 animals. Congratulations to ALL for a jobwell done!!! A special thanks to the Rescues who made a world of difference inthe lives of 12 animals. Working together we can and did make a difference.

Unfortunately, our work is not over. During this same period the shelter received 56 animals, that figures to be approximately 6 animals per-day.

Until animal welfare advocates and the community focuses on holding irresponsible pet owners accountable for allowing their pets to roam and breed indiscriminately,this issue of pet overpopulation is not going to be resolved anytime soon. Douglas County Animal Control has been doing the same old same old, impoundingstray animals and working endlessly to find the owners (who usually fail tocome redeem their pet) or find the animal a new home. Unfortunately, they arestill getting the same old results, impounding one animal for every one adopted. While the past nine days were considered successful in that more animals were adopted than impounded, that isn’t the case every week. Usually more animals are received than adopted, rescued, fostered, or redeemed by their owners.

Society in general accepts the fact that “irresponsible pet owners will allow their
pets to roam, be injured by automobiles, catch or spread diseases, attack
another domestic animal or human”. When an animal becomes a nuisance or a
threat; citizens call Animal Control and not only expect the problem to be
resolved immediately, but demand it. Little or no accountability is ever placed
on the animal owner by the complainant. In society’s eyes, it has now become the animal control officer and shelter worker’s responsibility to “resolve” the
issue. Once an animal is impounded it becomes the responsibility of the kennel
worker to care for and find the animal (that has not been socialized,
vaccinated, or spayed/neutered), a new home. Often when an animal is impoundedit is an adult, many times people prefer to adopt puppies or kittens  opposed to an older pet.  Older animals make wonderful pets; unfortunately, they are not in big demand in today’s society.

Pet overpopulation must be addressed. Irresponsible pet owners must be held accountable. Animals must be altered at an early age to prevent an unwanted
litter that will keep producing offspring, that will produce more offspring and
the cycle continues. Pet overpopulation is placing an undue burden and hardship
on taxpayers and shelter workers. Animals are suffering or being euthanized as
a result the IRRESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. Attitudes and directions must change to end this National crisis. Blaming the shelter’s staff is NOT the answer!

Ask yourself “what did I do this past week to help a homeless animal”? If you
complained that your shelter isn’t doing enough, or you criticized the shelter
staff for not caring, then you aren’t part of the solution, but indeed part of
the problem. I assure you the staff does care that includes Rick Smith,
Director of DCAC.

I challenge YOU to DO YOUR PART! Support your local shelter and the many wonderful animals that need saving.

Cynthia Smith