Whitney Schieren
Staff Reporter
With the recent decline in the economy more people have been under pressure to find ways to make ends meet. This has resulted in the inability of many to care for their own animals. Nicky Ratliff, Executive Director of the Carroll County Humane Society, said that this was evident by the number of animals being brought into the shelter this year, which has increased by at least 20 a month.
Just last year alone five thousand animals, including cats, dogs, and other miscellaneous animals, were brought into the shelter in Carroll County.
There are many different reasons animals are brought to the Humane Society. For example, 788 dogs were brought in because they were lost. However, of these lost animals, approximately 50% were returned to their owners. Another 699 dogs were brought in because they were found meandering around or because they were not wanted.
As for the felines, 2,375 stray cats were brought in, and 1,117 came in that belonged to someone who did not want them. Last of all were the 433 miscellaneous critters brought in for various reasons.
It is important with a topic such as this to obtain a better understanding of the difference between unwanted and abandoned animals. Animals that are purposely placed in back yards, parking lots, etc., are considered abandoned. Although this act of dropping animals off somewhere and leaving them there is illegal, it is hard to catch someone in the act.
Unwanted animals are brought into shelters, like the Humane Society, usually because their owners cannot care for them and therefore want to make sure they are taken care of. It is easy to see which of these two options is best. If people can no longer care for their animals, it is their duty and responsibility to give them to someone, or take them somewhere that is able to take them in.
For those who are not aware, the Humane Society evaluates the animals that are brought in, in order to find the best placement for them and their possible adoptive parents. From their evaluations they are able to decide whether or not an animal would be a good pet or not.
Many precautions are taken before putting these unwanted animals up for adoption. Not only do they want to make sure that the animals are friendly, but they also evaluate people who are interested in adopting to make sure they are able to take care of an animal.
The Humane Society wants to be assured that the people considering an adoption will provide a suitable environment where an animal can live peacefully.
According to Ratliff’s statistics for this year, 1,201 animals were adopted of the 5,000 that were brought in. Of this 1,201, 527 were dogs, 412 were cats, and 262 were miscellaneous critters.
Although they are finding good homes for these animals, there are still a considerable percentage of animals left in the shelter.
“We are lucky because we don’t have as many animals being brought in as Humane Societies in other areas,” Ratliff stated.
Since the cost of living has increased, the numbers of animals being brought in are constantly rising as well.
Danielle Smith, a sophomore at McDaniel College, has rescued two puppies. She stated, “There are so many animals that need good homes and it makes you feel really good to know that you are saving a life. It is a great idea to adopt or rescue and animal especially if you have the financial means to support it.”
It is imperative that people think before they purchase an animal, and consider all the long term responsibilities. It is reasonable to infer that the vast number of abandoned and unwanted animals results from individuals who are interested in short term pleasures and do not account for the long term responsibilities of animal care.
Make sure you do your duty to take care of your animal.
This can be done in many different ways from simply bringing your pet to a shelter if you’re no longer to take care of them, or finding someone responsible who can take care of your pet. According to the AnimalWorldNetwork.com, it is also important to get your pet spayed or neutered to prevent unplanned pregnancies, which only add to the already booming number of animals that are abandoned or unwanted. The website further states, “There are many non-profit organizations that offer low-cost spaying/neutering programs if you need financial assistance.”
So before you decided to adopt, buy, abandon, or sell your animal, think first what is in their best interest. Can you afford to take care of an animal? Will they be better off somewhere else? Is there somewhere you can take them instead of abandoning them?
It is important to make the best decision not only for you, but for your pet too.