In these days of shrinking government budgets, people are feeling the pinch. So are animals.
Two local animal control agencies are currently having serious problems. The mayor of the City of St. Louis announced yesterday that operations at the city shelter would be closed later this year. A deteriorating building and lack of funds means the agency can no longer care humanely for animals. The city plans to contract services with local nonprofit agencies for strays and surrenders.
Likewise, animal control in neighboring Jefferson County is under fire for inadequate conditions and high euthanasia rates. Though staff is trying to bring the shelter up to par, there is a real possiblity that they may face closing as well.
I believe both agencies have tried to do the best they can with very limited budgets. What is the answer? A short term solution is to use nonprofit shelters. Unfortunately, they, too, are stretched to the max.
We need a long term solution. This lies in funding for better facilities, increased adoption outreach, and a concerted effort to get pets spayed and neutered. Of course, these programs require more money.
Which puts us right back where this blog began.
7 comments:
All sad, but true. It seems like every other week, we see on the TV news that another puppy mill has been raided and shut down. My mind just kind of closes up when I try to think of a solution for the over population of dogs and cats. There must be an answer....but my math challenged brain cannot think of one.
ALL pets should be required to be spayed and neutered,as well as vaccinated, AND breeders should be strictly regulated, AND fines for non-compliance should be HUGE! I know, I know, big government...but if people won't be responsible and humane, then they should have to pay the price. It "ain't" gonna happen, but it should!
Story for you: Family outside Trader Joe's with gorgeous chocolate lab 6 month old pup. Selling the pup for $650. Huh? They bought the cute pup when only a few weeks old, it started to grow, the economy got worse....In the end, the brilliant family hit by the economy realized the pup would grow up to eat a lot of kibble. Now they want their initial investment back. Yikes. I'm starting to think like your friend Judy
Twink!
There is a rescue centre in Wales called Many Tears Rescue and they try to find as many of their dogs foster parents as possible until they can be rehomed, might this be possible if they advertised for temporary foster homes?
Lynne
I agree with Judy. Also wish the media portrayed, and perhaps glamorized, shelter dogs a bit more...hey, I think it's possible!
It always boils down to spay and neuter. A strong push there would solve a lot of problems...
My goal, if I ever win the lottery, is to have a facility like the Best Friends one in Utah. They have done amazing things there.There should restrictions on breeding and it might discourage people from selling puppies by the side of the road if fines were involved. Everything takes money to enforce. I believe the Humane Society in Fort Worth does foster dogs. There are too many irresponsible people out there.
Ann
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