The United States faces a pet overpopulation crisis as six to eight million animals are euthanized each year simply because there are not enough homes for them.
Taxpayers across the country bear the cost of picking up, housing, and eventually killing these cats and dogs (as much as $100-$200 per animal at the shelter on Stock Island). In Key West alone, 352 animals were killed in 1998 and in the latter half of 1999, a whopping 282 animals were put to death here. Between 25-50-percent of these animals were killed simply because they had no homes.
But I believe there is a solution. By spaying and neutering companion animals, we can end these unwanted births, reduce the needless suffering that homeless animals endure, and save taxpayers money at the same time.
I encourage each citizen of Key West and the Keys to support Spay Day USA. Don't put off `fixing' your animals any longer.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The dogs in the photos (Blue, Spanky, and Wilbur) were dumped at the shelter or brought in as strays. They were healthy. They would have made good pets. They didn't get adopted, and so they were killed.
In the lower Keys we have a number of animal advocate agencies that offer low-cost and free spay/neuter programs. There is really no earthly reason for people here to own animals that are not spayed or neutered.
I went to the Shelter this week with Richard Wather- wax, who took photos of dogs and cats available for adoption. The cat house is full, and the dog house is almost full-- only about 4 empty cages, and I hear that these cages will be filled momentarily.
All of the dogs are large, (the most difficult to adopt out) and most of them are young, between 2 and 4 years. Patsy Cline, my favorite dog, is still there (she's eight years old and still has lots of spunk) and while I was there, Dottie was being adopted by a lady with cats. Hope Dottie is good to the woman's felines, or she might find herself back at the Shelter again.
Both Dottie and Patsy are on the "short list"-- meaning they have been there for a long time and will be euthanized if the Shelter gets overcrowded with even more healthy, adoptable animals.
Also while I was there, a beautiful white Persian cat was brought in-- a family had adopted the cat back in September from the shelter, but the cat was `returned' because "the kids wouldn't take care of it." The cat was traumatized, wouldn't come out of its cat carrier, and seemed to know that it had been deserted.
Shelters are traumatizing to some animals-- being around so many other unfamiliar animals and people can lead to changed personalities in cats and dogs. And when the shelter is overcrowded, a nip, scratch or growl can lead to euthanization.
There's an old sixties saying: if you are not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. If you are one of those people who won't spay and neuter your pet, then you contribute to the pet overpopulation crisis. Especially of you let your animal roam free to impregnate, or be impregnated by other animals. If you adopt an animal with the intention of keeping it until you move away, or until you get tired of it, or until the breed goes out of style, then you're part of the problem too.
Please spay and neuter your pets. And when you adopt, make a lifetime commitment.
For further information on spay/neuter programs offered in Key West, call the FKSPCA Animal Shelter at 294-4857; Lower Keys Friends of Animals at 294-9445; the Key West Kritter Patrol at 293-6983; or United Humanitarians at 296-5106.
If you'd like to volunteer to make life better for the animals housed at the shelter on Stock Island, call the Shelter at 294-4857. They sure could use your help.
As Dorothy Fork says, "Our combined efforts will make a difference for the cats and dogs (and other animals) we all love."
Lots of cats and dogs at the FKSPCA Shelter on Stock Island need good homes.
The cat house is full of lovely felines. They come in all shapes, colors, sizes and temperaments, and all are ready to go home with you. They're all staying at the shelter temporarily, until the right human comes along.
If you aren't a `cat person,' there are also some great dogs like Sandy Sue. She found a home with the Burtons and they are so happy with her. You could be that happy too, but you have to come out to the Shelter to take a look for that special feline or canine. Hours: M-F, 10-6 and Sat., 10-2. Call 294-4857.
A Yard Sale to benefit Wildlife Refuge of the Florida Keys (WRFK) is slated for this Saturday, Feb. 26, starting at 8 a.m.
Lots of treasures to be found at this sale, including marine supplies, household appliances, furniture, and more. And the price is right!
Come on out to WRFK at Indigenous Park on White Street near Atlantic Blvd., and meet, greet, find some treasures, and help a great organization, all at the same time. WRFK is raising money to help with running expenses and for hospital supplies for the new wildlife hospital that will be opening soon.
For further information or to volunteer at Wildlife Refuge of the Florida Keys, call Debbie at 294-1441.
When Terri and Michael Burton had to put down their 14-year-old dog last year, not only did they lose their best friend, but a beloved traveling companion too.
This year when the couple was planning their yearly road trip, they talked about whether to adopt another dog.
"We were having Chinese food for dinner, and I opened up my fortune cookie," Terri said. "The message read, `Experience back roads to the North with a new friend.' I thought, `That's it! I'm going to the Shelter this week,'" she said.
So Terri went off to the Shelter to see if she could find a new best friend. "We didn't really know what kind of dog we would adopt. We did know that we would name it Sandy."
At the shelter, Terri said she saw some people looking into a cage. "I looked in too and saw a young dog, who was just coming to, after having been spayed. The dog looked up at me, and then came over and buried her head in my arm," said Terri. "Then I saw that the name on her cage was `Sandy.' I just knew it was meant to be!"
Terri was told that `Sandy,' a Shepherd mix, was six months old and had been brought in as a stray found on Stock Island. "Sandy Sue was a bit skittish at first, but that didn't last long," said Terri. "And is she smart! It only took me two days to housetrain her."
Sandy Sue traveled with Terri and Michael on their roadtrip up north. "Sandy Sue's a doll. We had a great time on our trip and she was wonderful all the way."
When asked about what she would say to someone who was thinking of adopting a dog, Terri said, "I'd tell them to adopt a Pound dog. And that mixed-breed dogs are definitely the smartest!"