Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 3 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Reality is coming home to roost
Published Monday, July 14, 2008
Perhaps you have read the recent stories in USA WEEKEND, “The Facts About Cats.” If so, these facts speak to us, locally, as well. As a volunteer for The Marshmallow Foundation / Lucky Dog-Detroit Lakes Area Public Animal Impound in Detroit Lakes, I have been witness to what was once a comfortable trickle of adoptable companion animals become a dangerous and disastrous deluge.
Consider the rising problems we've been seeing lately. How about this, when was the last time you dared leave your garbage out overnight? Where did precious kitty or pup contract feline leukemia or parvo? Did you know that much of our wildlife is susceptible to these diseases also? We are in the midst of a subtle but ever growing pet explosion and it is costing you.
Did you know that in seven years, one cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats; in six years, one dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs?
The Humane Society of the United States estimates the number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year to be up to ten million, with five million of those animals being euthanized.
Now, did you know that spay/neuter is a safe and effective way to get a handle on this situation? I thought not, or we wouldn't have 20-plus dogs and 40-plus cats on a weekly basis looking for homes at the Lucky Dog-Detroit Lakes Area Public Animal Impound, one of two shelters in that city alone.
Licensed veterinarians perform the spay/neuter operation while the pet is under anesthesia. If you have a puppy or kitten, don't wait. Pets can become parents sooner than you think. Early age spay/neuter at four to six months is safe and effective. This surgery carries a one-time cost that is minuscule compared to its long-term public and personal benefits.
Not only will it cut our tax dollar costs, it can help your pets live longer, healthier lives, and make them more easily trained, affectionate companions.
For more information, visit us at 1478 Mallard St, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Nancy Stokes - Ottertail
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Clara (anonymous) on July 14, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unless you are a serious,responsible breeder of impeccable dog/cat bloodlines, there is NO reason they should not be spayed or neutered. If you can't properly take care of a dog or cat, you shouldn't own one. PERIOD!
Posted by pamelajo1012 (anonymous) on July 15, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my dog is not neutered, and i resent the implication that i don't take care of my dog because of it. my dog is well adjusted, active, and well fed, he has zero interaction with other animals, unless you count the kids, that does not make me a bad owner, just not willing to spend extra money on getting the dog fixed when i prefer the household have the necessities.
Posted by alpha (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it doesn't cost that much to have your dog/cat fixed and it is just a one time fee. It's not going to starve your family or cause you to be unable to pay bills, it will however GUARANTEE that your dog/cat will not reproduce. It costs less to spay/neuter your pet than it does to raise a litter of puppies or kittens.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)