Heat wave overcrowds Humane Society with abandoned, unwanted pets
6:04 p.m. Monday, August 7, 2006
On any given day, the Helping Hands Humane Society takes in between 30 and 35 animals.
But, with the hot weather, they've taken in as many as 74 in one day.
“Every year during the summer months, we have a definite increase in the number of animals that come into the shelter,” said Carol Stubbs, Director.
Unfortunately, not all the animals are as lucky as Moxey Jo, who was adopted by a family, leaving the shelter with one option.
“With the limited amount of space and the number of animals coming in, some really nice dogs and cats do have to be euthanized this time of year,” Stubs said.
Besides strays, Stubbs said some people bring their animals in if they're moving away but most come in from animal control.
“With the heat, we see a lot of incidents of animals being dehydrated, a lot of animals without any food or water,” said Brandi Harris, Animal Control.
Officers are called to dozens of chained, vicious and abuse calls each day.
For example, one dog was running lose so a citizen chained it up until officers could take it away.
Another dog was in a confined cage covered with its own feces. The officer left the owner a warning, but next time he'll fine the owner and take the dog in.
“I know that a lot of people think of them as their family and their friend, but when certain situations do arise, we have to do what is necessary for the animal,” Harris said.
Stubbs said it's important for your pet to be spayed or neutered. She said one cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years, and one dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.
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