To the Editor:
I am writing this to bring an awareness to the scores of pets being dumped in our county (as well as across the state and country). We in rescue understand that times are tough right now, and having a pet can get expensive, however, people need to be responsible for their pets! Animal Care Services has been full for months, and has posted when they feel a need to euthanize a dog or dogs for space. Rescues are also full. There should not be so many dogs in need of homes or getting dumped.
With Christmas coming, people are also getting rid of their older dogs in order to get a puppy. This is not what having a pet is about. It should be about having a family member who loves you and you love them, and you care for each other, and are loyal to each other. If people cannot make this commitment, then in my opinion, they should not get a pet.
Also, part of being a responsible pet owner is to get your pet spayed/neutered. Litters of puppies are getting dumped as well, and sadly, momma dogs are getting dumped without their puppies. No pet should be getting dumped – this is such a heartless thing to do. Dogs have feelings, and become sad, lonely and depressed.
The following is a recent Facebook posting from another county:
Things to remember when planning a dump off of your unwanted dogs:
1. They ARE waiting for you to come back for them!
2. Most of the time it takes days to get in contact with the county for search/trap/pick-up. And that's if they have space and time for them.
3. They ARE waiting for you to come back for them.
4. The neighbors in the area CANNOT rescue your unwanted pet; there are just too many for us to handle.
5. They ARE waiting for you to come back for them, if they survive coyote attacks.
6. It's freezing!
7. No one feeds them!
8. They ARE waiting for you to come back for them.
9. They miss you!
10. They consider you family!
Please be responsible, loving pet owners. If you need help to keep your pet, reach out to either Animal Care Services, or any of the local rescues. There are always people on Facebook willing to help out in any way they can in order to help you be responsible for your pet.
–Laura Mares, Dog Coordinator, Animal Rescue of Anderson Valley
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