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Help reduce stray pet numbers
Published November 10, 2009
In tough economic times, people naturally can become more tight-fisted with their money, ensuring their own family’s needs are met first. Extra expenses, like giving to charities, churches or social causes, sometimes can fall by the wayside.
Locally, a segment that appears to be feeling some of that pinch involves stray pets, predominantly cats and dogs. A recent Facts article highlighted the problem, reporting the Brazoria County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Lake Jackson has seen strays increase from 727 animals from October 2007 to September 2008 to 802 animals in the same time frame from 2008-09. The numbers were higher in 2006-07 at 839 unwanted or stray animals, mainly attributable to a high number of cats that June.
Cheryl Barnard, interim director of the Lake Jackson animal shelter, cited the lagging economy as the likely culprit in this sad upswing.
“Our numbers for abandonment have gone up,” Barnard told The Facts. “People aren’t able to pay for medications and food.”
While the loose animal issue is a countywide problem, stray figures from Angleton serve as a stark example of what communities are facing. In the first nine months of 2009, more than 150 additional strays were picked up in Angleton than in all of 2008.
Even worse, while the fact shelter use is up indeed is cause for concern, that likely is just an indication of a far worse problem festering in the streets, alleys and fields of Brazoria County. Animal advocates quickly point out that the animals being served by shelters — many ultimately having to be euthanized — represent only a fraction of the number of strays out there in need, most enduring hungry, sick and miserable lives.
The good news is the county is blessed with low-cost spay/neuter programs; people just need to take advantage of them. Spaying and neutering pets is the most effective way to combat the growing number of strays. There also are programs that can help people provide food and medical care for their furry friends, including Brazoria County SPCA’s “Ani-Meals.” Call the SPCA at 979-285-2340 for information.
It’s understandable some of our neighbors might be struggling and facing difficult decisions on where to cut back, but the word should be spread that help for pets is out there, and readily available. As Bernard noted, “We might be able to help out, if they’ll let us know they’re having problems. And we may be able to help people place their pets if they’re not able to care for them. We’re always here to help if people come into hard times.”
There really is no excuse for leaving poor animals to fend for themselves.
This editorial was written by Dale Dimitri, copy editor for The Facts.
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