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by Leah_Beno

Last Post 7 days, 10 hours Ago


Too Many Dogs and Cats
Sep 24, 2007 | 9:08 PM
Category: News
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When you have a soft spot for dogs, an assignment to an animal shelter is never easy.  While I've been resisting the temptation of adapting a dog for several months now, I must confess I returned from shooting my story without a pup. Although  because of the pet problems I was reporting on, I was tempted.  

 The problem Alamance County and other counties are facing has to do with the population growth in the piedmont.  As more people move to this area, more animals come along with them.  Alamance County says the increased number of dogs and cats coming into their shelter is off the charts.  Between 2005 and 2006 the number of intake animals to Alamance county shelter went from about 6,171 to more than 7,223.  Already this year the Alamance Animal Shelter has taken in 5,800 pets.  

So what is the solution? Alamance County already spent $750,000 on an adoption center just three years ago. The people who work at the shelter say people are bringing  pets to the shelter more than ever partially because they believe beautiful new adoption center means the pets will be adopted out. WRONG! Only 11% of the animals who come to the shelter are adopted out. While that is an increase, advocates around the county say it's not good enough.   Recently the City of Burlington, Alamance County, local animal advocates, veterinarians,  breeders, ect. formed a Animal Shelter Task Force. The group of about 20 people met for the first time last week to explore how they can stop so many animals from coming to the shelter. Some ideas that came up include  expanding the current animal shelter, or changing the spay and neutering requirements. Currently all the animals adopted out are fixed before they leave, but animals that recovered by their owners at the shelter are not required to be. Maybe they should be.  

I hope this task force can find a solution. Whether it's through legislation, education or good old sterilization the euthanization of these innocent animals needs to stop. To quote Bob Barker "please have your pets spayed or neutered."

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Billy read my blog
Sep 25, 2007 | 11:12 AM

Spay and neuter the owners. At least that way they will not have the offspring to want the untended cats and dogs to produce the unwanted. Would guess this would get the attention of all who own pets.

Responsibility is the whole thing and until they are held to that there will be no great lasting change
DogOwner
Sep 25, 2007 | 12:18 PM

Part of the solution is in the original report. The City of Burlington has a **2** dog limit. This is absurd, and as the article ILLUSTRATED, contributes to the shelter population. There are folks who can take care of a half dozen dogs very well, and those who can't take care of a single goldfish. Allow those who can to keep more dogs instead of requiring them to be relinquished and possibly euthanized.
Emily_Byrd read my blog view my photos
Sep 26, 2007 | 8:25 AM

Leah, you hit the nail on the head when you suggest spaying and neutering. It's the only way to control the overpopulation of unwanted pets. They could build a shelter/holding facility the size of a shopping mall and it would still be filled to capacity.

Then add the risk of air-borne diseases, and you're looking at hundreds/thousands of animals that will be sick *and* homeless.

I'm constantly frustrated by people who choose not to "fix" their pets. There are so many advantages to doing it and too many myths preventing people from acting responsibly.

One unsterilized female cat, with her offspring, can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years. Think about that.

If anyone out there wants some information on low-cost spay and neuter clinics in our area, e-mail me at ebyrd@wghp.com.
Emily_Byrd read my blog view my photos
Sep 26, 2007 | 8:27 AM

Here's some helpful information from the Humane Society of the United States:

What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.

Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet

- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
- Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You

- Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a

qehounds
Sep 26, 2007 | 11:10 PM

New laws are only followed by responsible, law abiding people--their dogs are probably already spayed and neutered-
Is there truly overpopulation at the Shelter? Is it routinely over half filled with puppies and kittens? Or is the majority of the population 6-12 months old? Overpopulation means there are more puppies and kittens being born than there are homes available--Lots of animals over 6 months of age would point to an owner retention problem--you cannot hope to solve a problem until it is clearly defined!
If you have genuine overpopulation, then low cost or free spay neuter programs need to be implemented and expanded, financial INCENTIVES
offered, not citations threatening owners. Our local Humane Society pays a 25.00 rebate for every shelter animal that is spayed or neutered. How about a program available to people who drop off litters at the Shelter? Have the Low Cost certificates ready and waiting--If owner retention is the problem, you need training classes, a behavior hotline, and the cooperation of people willing to help new owners and animals adjust--sign these people up before they leave the shelter!
How much effort is put into educating the public-don't shove HSUS figure and facts at them-they are as slanted as your Task Force--
And please remember that the people you vilify are the very people who can be of the most help to your community and its' animals...
Just to clarify one error in the article as well--there are no hunters or breeders on the Task Force--You have no voice, and soon you will have no choice.
bevbailey view my photos
Sep 27, 2007 | 12:39 PM

I have 3 dogs and 5 cats. They are all spayed or neutered. I dont have alot of money. I am just an office worker. Why cant other people go to the SPCA or Humane Society for cheaper spay and neutering? I wish we could have free clinics like they do in Mecklenberg.
Axekick read my blog view my photos
Sep 27, 2007 | 6:07 PM

I just read about a man who entered a burning home after being told not to go back in looking for his dog needless to say he died and his dog was later found outside safe and sound. I have given this pet thing alot of thought and I can't for the life of me understand some people's love for dogs and cats I have had many people tell me that they value a dogs life over that of a human even Alan Handelman told me he puts a dogs life very close to that of a human! I just don't see it!
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Leah_Beno

I am a Fox 8 News Reporter...and loving it!!!

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