Do you love your pet?
Then take the responsibility now of planning for the future in case you can't care for it. Recently, a friend told me she knew of a lady who left her cat at the Shelter and claimed her pet was euthanized that very same day.
"Isn't the main reason the FKSPCA took over the animal shelters because the county was killing too many animals there?"my friend asked. "I mean, I thought they were going in the direction of a no-kill shelter."
I called the FKSPCA Animal Shelter and spoke to George Whiting, director of the Key West and Marathon shelters. When I asked him if it were possible that a cat surrendered to the shelter could be euthani- zed that day, he said, "Possibly. We're overloaded in both shelters and there are only so many homes available. If we are seriously overcrowded--every cage, nook and cranny taken-- then surrendered animals-- if they are older, or crotchety-- go first." And animals that have been with an owner for years are usually crotchety and afraid when they are left in this situation.
Gwen Hawtof, president of FKSPCA, has always said that "the shelter is a reflection of the community it serves. And," she emphasized, "we do the best we can to find animals good homes. We don't euthanize a surrendered animal the same day-- only suffering animals-- the sick and injured. But, if you have no where else to take it, surrendering an animal to the shelter is so much kinder than dumping it off to fend for itself."
Whiting explained that under county ordinances, animal control must keep feral cats for three days, and stray animals for five. There is no time limit on euthanization for surrendered animals.
Even Ozzie Osborne, facing death by his own hand, made arrangements for his cat to be cared for after his death.
"Lifetime commitment to your animal means the animal's lifetime," said Whiting. "And the solution to euthanization? Spay, neuter, and education," he said. "Not bigger shelters!"
Just a few weeks after Hurricane Georges blew out of town, Bob Ward went to the Animal Shelter looking for a companion. Bob knew exactly what he was looking for-- a mid-sized, short-haired, female dog, not a puppy, and most importantly, a dog that would make a good walking companion.
Bob's physician had recommended he get more exercise by walking, and then Bob remembered that his dad would exercise by walking the family dog every day.
"I looked around but didn't see any dogs that were female and mid-sized," Bob said. "But then I talked to one of the shelter employees, and he said,`I think I have the perfect dog for you,' and introduced me to Georges," said Bob. "I took Georges out to the little yard they have, and we just sat there together. It wasn't love at first sight yet-- until I walked him on the leash-- and he was perfect! "
So even though Georges wasn't a female, and his hair wasn't really short, he and Bob made good walking companions. One out of three ain't bad, so Georges went to live with Bob in his condo at 1800 Atlantic Blvd.
It took Georges about two weeks to get used to living in his new home with Bob's 12-year-old cat. "One day when I came home I noticed a few small drops of blood on the carpet and then noticed that Georges had a little scratch on his nose," said Bob. "Then I knew he had cornered my cat, who had taken a swipe at him, just to let him know who's boss. From then on there have been no problems between them. They even sleep on either side of me on the bed each night," said Bob.
Bob estimates that he and Georges have walked hundreds of miles together since Georges came to live with him back in October, '98. "We take long walks three times a day," said Bob. And Georges has made many friends at 1800 Atlantic. "People always greet Georges first, and if he's not with me, they always ask where he is," says Bob.
"Today, we took our usual walk on the beach," said Bob. "Then we rested in the shade, and Georges took a short nap while I looked out to sea. You can't have a bad day when you start it like this."
Then I asked Bob if he had anything he would like to say to those who are thinking of adopting a dog of their own. "The animal shelter is the best place to find a good dog," he said. "And think about matching the dog to your lifestyle. Also, talk to shelter employees. They know the animals," he said. "It takesa commitment of time and attention, when you have a dog, but the big reward is lots of love and devotion," said Bob. "And," he added, "you get to meet wonderful people while walking your dog."
Want to meet a lifetime companion? Check out the Shelter. Info: 294-4857.