By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Local animal shelters are overflowing and the rescues are full, too. Social media posts are rampant with found animals, pets needing to be re-homed and more. So what can be done to help?
Jeanne Strack, who operates The Senior Scenter in Warne offered this advice. “The biggest thing to help a rescue is to spay and neuter your pets,” she said. “If everyone would be responsible, the rescues could eventually go out of business. Even if we can change the minds of a few, we will keep more animals alive.”
Representatives from other local animal rescues agree, but they also encourage people not to get animals they are unable to properly care for. Proper care means vet care, including rabies vaccinations and regular checkups and properly restrained.
Strack has heard many people say they used to be able to let their animals roam freely. “Times have changed,” she said. “We used to play in the streets when we were kids and our kids did, too. We used to use rotary phones and a long time ago, we drove horses and buggies. Times have changed. Animal over-population has gone crazy everywhere. Plus, coyotes are frequently killing pets now. That never used to happen.”
A few weeks ago, a Progress article covered laws related to animals. In many states and some other countries, people are required to register dogs. The fee usually covers rabies and even spaying and neutering, but the funds pay for personnel to oversee the process. Offenders are fined and repeat offenders may have to forfeit their animals.
According to the ASPCA, almost one million animals are euthanized every year. The Humane Society of the United States says the average unspayed female cat can produce between four and six kittens per litter and can have up to three litters per year. That means a fertile female cat could potentially produce up to 18 kittens in one year.
Imagine what happens if none of the 18 kittens are spayed or neutered. Since about half of those born are female, that could be another 12 to 18 kittens per year, for each of the original cat’s female kittens. Estimates vary per source, but rescue and various veterinarian sources say one female cat and her offspring can be responsible for as many as 4,948 other cats in seven years. Some sources say the number is more than 400,000 in eight years. Whether it is around 5,000 or 400,000, that is a lot of loose cats to eat song birds, catch rabbits and other small wildlife.
Animal People News says a fertile dog can produce an average of two litters in one year, with the average number of puppies in a litter, ranging from six to 10. “Up to 508 puppies can be born from one unspayed female dog and her offspring in seven years,” the website says.
“The capture, impoundments and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars each year,”The American Veterinary Medical Association shares on its site.
Meanwhile, folks like Strack spend their days and many of their nights helping the unwanted strays. “The hard work comes down to our backs,” she said. Strack has been in animal rescue work for more than 40 years and has run a rescue non-profit for more than 30 years. Her shelter in Warne, The Senior Scenter, was built for elderly dogs, but she has taken in geese, horses, a Highlands cow and many others over the years. She never gets to see her kids or grandkids because she cannot travel.
“People think we should be able to take all of them, but every dog we take in is probably going to be at least $500 right away, to get vet care, including teeth,” she added. They have a staff of five people to pay and upkeep on the buildings and farm, not to mention the animal food and medicines. A few years ago, they added a pet crematorium to be able to offer that service.
Strack works closely with other local rescues such as Valley River Humane Society, Castoff Pets and Angel’s Retreat. Strack ended with some important advice, “Personally visit a rescue to see how they operate, if possible,” she said. “Check on their hours, but any reputable rescues should be willing to allow you to visit. Same for dog breeders. If you are going to buy a dog, they should be willing to allow you to see where the parents live and the puppies are raised. If rescues and breeders do not allow visitors, there must be a reason.”
Want to help? In addition to donations, many rescues have Amazon wish lists, and sometimes need volunteers. Strack’s rescue,The Senior Scenter, may be found at: www.puppiesunderprotection.com. For the others mentioned, visit: www.angelsretreatrescue.com, www.castoffpetrescue.org or www.ValleyRiverHumaneSociety.org.