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Watauga Humane Society launches 2008 campaign
By Caroline Monday
The Watauga Humane Society is launching its 2008 Prevent a Litter…Fix
Your Critter campaign, an
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Every hour in the United States
415 children are born – and so are 3,500 cats. Every
day in the United States, about 70,000 puppies & kittens
are born, compared to about 11,000 human births –
meaning there will neverbe enough homes for all the kittens
and puppies that are born. Photo submitted
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information campaign encouraging area residents to have their
pets spayed or neutered.
In Watauga County and across the nation, the large population
of stray cats and dogs is a problem. Kathy Copley, the coordinator
for the Humane Society’s Prevent A Litter campaign, said
spay/neuter is the only sure-fire method of population control.
Another benefit of having pets “fixed” is the positive
effect that it can have on an animals health and safety. Sterilized
animals are less likely to roam, looking for a mate, so they
are less likely to run away or be injured in traffic. Male dogs
that have been neutered are less aggressive, and removal of
reproductive organs safeguards animals from certain types of
cancer.
In general, Copley said, “Your pet will be healthier, live
longer and be better behaved if it has been fixed.”
There are many myths surrounding having pets sterilized. Dogs
that have been fixed are as good at hunting and as guard dogs
as non-sterilized dogs, and they are more likely to be better
behaved and less distracted by other animals.
Copley noted that many pet owners do not realize how early in
life a kitten or puppy can begin having litters. Many pet owners
believe they should wait until the animal is six months old.
However, that animal may begin having litters as early as five
months old and should be sterilized before they reach that age.
Other pet owners want to let their pets have a litter before
getting them spayed or neutered, planning to give the animals
away. However, finding homes for new kittens and puppies is
not always easy. Copley and the Humane Society urge pet owners
to have their pet spayed or neutered unless they are willing
to care for a litter of kitten or puppies for those animals’
entire lives.
Copley said that the Humane Society realizes that a big reason
people do not get their pets spayed and neutered is cost. To
counteract this problem, the organization offers low-cost spay
and neuters and is offering some financial assistance to pet
owners who would like to have their pet sterilized.
“This is the beginning of the cat and dog breeding season,
and we know that many pet owners would like to spay or neuter
their pets,” Copley said. “They know their pets will
live longer, healthier lives and be better behaved, but they
don’t think they can afford to pay for the surgery. The
Humane Society has a modest amount of grant money available
to provide financial assistance to people who live in Watauga
County who use our spay/neuter clinic.”
Those interested in learning more about the clinic and about
available assistance should call the Humane Society shelter
at (828) 264-7865.
The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization serving the homeless
cats and dogs of Watauga County. The organization offers low-cost
spay, neutering and microchip services and runs a shelter for
homeless animals, located at 200 Casey Lane in Boone. They also
offer residents memberships to their dog park, located along
Don Hayes Road in the Perkinsville area.
The Humane Society is in constant need of volunteers for tasks
ranging from office work to walking dogs and cleaning kennels.
Those interested in volunteering should contact shelter manager
Lynn Northup, assistant manager Anita Gomez or kennel manager
Nicole Carper at (828) 264-7865.
For more information about this organization and how you can
help, visit them online at wataugahumanesociety.org.
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