By Joe Rodweller
Hi everyone, I hope you all had a good Fourth of July holiday and all else is well. As for myself, work had taken me south for about a month so I haven’t been up on the happenings with our animals here. I do have some information that may be interesting to some of you about animals in southern states and how they affect us.
Let me first say that no matter what we are dealing with here in our towns with our animals, we have it good compared to those south of us. Weather and our economy have been changing lifestyles all over and most of the time it’s for the worst. Many times it affects the animals first when things have to change. All of the animal shelters are full or near that and some are over their capacity. Most can only hope for money for the medical care of some, but the healthy ones have the best chance if you want to call living in a cage the best chance?
Did Mother Nature create this problem with her storms, which seem to be getting worse every year? No, humans did, before the storms. The storms and disasters only bring it to focus. People are, for the most part, caring when it comes to animals, no matter what kind. But many cannot care for animals; they can’t afford the costs of the care for them and the cost of their own care. They don’t realize how much it costs to keep and care for the animals. So fixing the animal is out of the question, and getting them immunized from disease, well they just can’t afford it.
And yes, others just don’t care; they chain a dog outside 24 hours a day or keep it in a small pen. And there is always someone out there doing something to an animal that will just surprise you when you think you have seen it all. Everyone out there will have an opinion as to how to handle the overabundance of animals, but no one remedy will do. One thing for sure, fixing your animals will be the biggest help and getting stricter with the breeders of all dogs should be.
Something to think about, and yes it could happen here, it is happening south of us at an alarming rate — it’s cats living and breeding in sewers and dogs running everywhere, both carrying who knows what diseases. We should be a little more proactive when it comes to our communities and our animals and maybe we can keep the population in check. Dropping the cost, or at least more help with the cost of fixing and immunizing the animals would be good. This is being done now but should be stretched even more. How, you ask? I don’t know. That’s why I wrote this; maybe someone out there has an idea. Thanks for reading.
Joe Rodweller of Linneus, a certified animal control officer and member of the Maine Animal Control Association, operates Maine Animal Control with his wife Debbie. He can be reached at 538-1347 or via e-mail at debjoe347@yahoo.com.
