Special to the Star-Herald
It is all about taking responsibility. There just aren’t enough homes for all of the unwanted pets and, according to statistics, there are approximately 2,000-3,500 dogs and cats born every hour in the United States. Shocking! The saddest statistic of all is that the majority of these animals that are born will not survive. Many die in the wild, on the streets, and in the alleys – victims of disease, malnutrition, illness, traffic accidents, attacks from other animals and cruelty and abuse at the hands of humans. The lucky ones do end up at shelters, but statistics also show that there are only about 415 people born an hour, not enough to provide homes for all of these unwanted animals.
Have you considered letting your cat or dog have just one litter? Consider this first: If you find a home for each and every kitten or puppy that your car or dog produces, what is to say that these new owners will spay and neuter their new pet and this vicious cycle of producing unwanted pets won’t continue? I urge you to be part of the solution; have your pets spayed and neutered. Yes, even the male of the species contributes to this over-population problem, so it is just as important to neuter the males as it is to spay the females.
The weather is getting colder and we are all feeling the crunch of fuel prices; unfortunately many people have felt no other option than to part with their pets. Some do it humanely and legally, by calling their local shelter. Our shelter contracts with towns to take strays, and we take in owner-released animals on an “as room” basis. Other people do it the illegal way and abandon them on the streets. Yes, this is illegal and it is our duty to report you if we see you do it! How fair is it to leave animals in the woods to fend for themselves? I do lay in bed at night and think about the animals left out in the cold, fighting to stay warm, running from predators, searching for food. It isn’t supposed to be that way. Thank goodness our shelter is a safe haven for those left in the cold.
Poison Control Alert from the ASPCA: Avoiding Close Encounters of the Mothball Kind:
Traditionally used to prevent clothing from being eaten by moth larvae, mothballs are also scattered in backyards to repel deer, raccoons and other wild animals. But unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped domestic animals from getting into this toxic household product. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the ingestion of just one mothball can cause serious problems in dogs and cats. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, seizures and blood disorders. Kidney failure and coma can develop in severe cases.
To prevent this from happening in your home or backyard, always keep mothballs in areas that aren’t accessible to pets or other animals, and keep in mind that the most dangerous mothballs are the old-fashioned type, which contain 100-percent naphthalene. Paradichlorvos is a safer type to use. And if you suspect that your pet has ingested a mothball – or any other potentially dangerous substance – call your veterinarian!
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society first. We have so many wonderful animals just waiting for loving homes. We are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit us online at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
