The crisis in pet care

 

Tonight I gave myself permission to reprint an article
I wrote for a neighborhood newsletter--since I am both
editor and author, I thought I could do that.

As a lifetime dog owner, I am concerned about the current pet explosion. (I am only talking dogs here because that is the subject I know best.) There are dogs everywhere—in homes, in kennels, in rescue facilities, on the streets. What we need is an educated pubic who understands the needs of dogs and the fact they have feelings just as we do—they know love, joy, fear, hunger, exhaustion. I for one could not live happily without a dog, but I know that my Sophie comes with responsibilities. I’m the one that must be sure she is safe, fed, in good health, and a happy camper. So this is a post for dog people.

Last week in Fort Worth, 98 dogs were euthanized; this week, 42 are scheduled to die. Our shelters are so overcrowded they can long longer maintain the “no kill” status we all want. Dogs are housed in crates in the hallways and outdoor kennels in the heat. Staff must euthanize to make room for new dogs. So dogs that have lingered in the shelters for a long period of time, without finding homes, must die. This is not easy on shelter workers, many of them volunteers—they are stressed and overworked and then must put their feelings of humanity aside to end lives.

Meanwhile, social media are full of notices of found dogs, dogs that need re-homing, and adorable puppies that need homes. But I just learned recently what’s behind some of those notices: the dogs needing re-homing may well be somebody’s stolen pet. Same for those strays, especially if people want a reward. And the puppies? The result of illegal, unlicensed breeding.

Rescue organizations are also full to the maximum, and many are forced to turn away animals needing foster or permanent care. Almost every day I see notice of a found dog, and my standard response is to suggest a rescue organization and, please, do not give the dog to the first person who says, “How cute. I’d like to take him or her home.” Too often, the response I get is that the finder has tried the rescue organization and been turned away.

Clearly, the pet care community is in crisis. It is, however, a crisis in which we all can help. If you want a dog to complete your family, consider a rescue. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you buy from a breeder licensed by the state. There are people indiscriminately breeding animals for profit; licensed breeders study genetics and mate dogs carefully. If you are able, foster a dog; every dog fostered opens a slot in a shelter for another dog.

If you own a dog, law requires that it be vaccinated and spayed or neutered, unless a special permit is issued. Veterinarian appointments are hard to get because of this pet explosion, but the Humane Society of North Texas offers low-cost procedures and there are several low-cost vaccination clinics in the area every weekend.

If you are interested in a dog that needs re-homing, investigate thoroughly. Pet owners generally do not re-home their animals—it’s like giving away a member of the family. Ask the reason for re-homing—and there are legitimate reasons, such as the death of the owner, owner moving to a care facility, etc. I’d be a little leery of, “We just don’t have time,” and I’d be downright suspicious of, “We just don’t want a dog right now.” Ask for veterinarian records, check with the vet, ask for photos—legitimate pet owners will have a backlog of photos. I know I do.

If you find a stray, it is against the law to re-home it within the first three days. The law requires you to register the dog with Fort Worth Animal Control. They will let you foster if you care to, but they are the first place an owner goes to look for a lost dog. Try to register through a rescue agency because they know how to check out prospective owners. There are cruel people out there, including those who enjoy a dog fight. And there are too many people who are indifferent.

I heard recently of a dog whose owner was in a hurry to re-home her, so he gave to an Uber driver. The Uber driver apparently changed his mind about dog ownership and dumped her. Luckily, Daisy was found and now has a happy forever home. Too many dogs are not as lucky as Daisy.

Spay, neuter, and chip so all dogs live the good life. And then next time there’s room in your home and your heart, try a rescue.