WHY CAN'T OUR SHELTER BE A NO-KILL SHELTER?

To the Editor:

Several years ago, the Pearl River County SPCA took over running the Picayune Animal Shelter. Since we are a humane society, I'm often asked why our shelter can't be a "no-kill" shelter like people have read about in some other places. First of all most no-kill shelters are very selective about which animals they take in. Only the pretty, adoptable animals with good personalities are accepted. The rest are turned away to be taken to "other' shelters. In the few shelters where all animals are accepted, the shelter quickly fills up and there is no room to take in anymore. Our shelter has neither of these options.

Our tiny shelter serves all of Pearl River County. We contract with the City of Picayune and with the Board of Supervisors for Pearl River County to accept all animals brought in We have approximately 15 runs and on several occasions, we have taken in over 60 animals in one day. It's pretty easy to do the math. It is not acceptable to put more than one dog in a run because they often fight or spread disease. Although we desperately need a new expanded shelter for Pearl River County, even that won't solve the problem. More cages and runs do not mean more homes. In many of the finest shelters, the adoption rate is still only 20%. There are seven animals born for every one person and there simply aren't enough homes.

Another problem most shelters encounter is that animals that are housed too long in runs or cages experience personality changes. They become what we call "cage crazy". They either become aggressive or withdrawn and depressed. They are no longer seen by the public as adoptable.

We have done everything possible to make our shelter a clean and cheerful place for those coming in to adopt a pet. We hold every adoptable animal for as long as space allows. We do everything possible to find homes for them. We publicize our pets for adoption on WRJW radio station, in the Picayune Item, on the Internet, and at Wal-Mart. But there simply are not enough homes.

The real solution to the animal overpopulation problem lies with the pet owners. If all pet owners would be responsible and spay/neuter their pets, we could stop this endless stream of unwanted animals. We hate having to euthanize these beautiful animals. It literally breaks our hearts. But we refuse to accept the guilt and blame for a problem we did not create. We are not the ones contributing to the surplus.

Many choose other solutions for unloading their unwanted pets. They don't want to bring them to the shelter because "they might be killed" Instead they choose to throw them out on a country road where most die a horrible death from either being hit by cars, killed by other animals, poisoned or shot by people, starvation, or disease. I don't understand why people think this is better than a painless injection.

There are also many people who choose to give puppies and kittens away free to anyone who will take them. Most of these go to irresponsible homes and we end up with them anyway, sometimes within just a few days. For the few that do get good homes, that means one less home for a shelter animal.

What can you do to help? PLEASE spay and neuter your pets and encourage other people to do so. If someone cannot afford it, we have financial assistance. Call the animal shelter and ask about it. Also, if you are looking for a new pet, please save a life and adopt one from the shelter. Many are there waiting and waiting, hoping for a chance to find a home. Thank you for listening.

Maria Diamond President, Pearl River SPCA