Those scrolling social media in recent months may notice an uptick in pleas from rescue groups and animal shelters to save dogs and cats on the euthanasia list. The truth is animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed, according to local humane society directors.
“Adoptions are down nationally as well,” said Bryan Canty, Executive Director of the Etowah Valley Humane Society. “This is something I foresaw coming.”
Canty said the problem is that pet owners aren’t getting their pets spayed or neutered. Feral populations aren’t spayed or neutered either so there are more litters.
“It’s not the economy. The economy is booming,” he said.
Charlotte Harrison, Director of the Cedartown Polk County Humane Society, disagrees. A combination of a down economy, job loss, and buyouts of independent veterinarians make the cost of spaying and neutering out of reach for most people, she said. It has also forced many to surrender their pets.
“Corporations have gone around and bought almost every independent vet’s office,” she said. “They will then charge you if you breathe.”
Harrison said two cats can cost $700 to get spayed at a vet’s office while her non-profit group charges $140.
Additionally, Harrison said Polk County Animal Control has started managed intake. This is where they will turn away people who bring in feral or surrendered animals to avoid euthanizing any.
Harrison said she can appreciate the idea of not euthanizing animals but the result of the new system is that more people are dumping pets and strays they find. That leads to a worse problem, she said.
Her group provides adoption services also and adopts around 30 animals a month.
Canty said the only way to get the animal shelter numbers down is by controlling animal populations with spaying and neutering. Both Canty and Harrison said there needs to be more low-cost spaying and neutering options available in this area.
The EVHS is working with a third party to bring those services to Bartow but that is several months out, Canty said. He said he refers people to Catsnip and the Georgia Animal Project in Ballground and Villa Rica.
The CPCHS has a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that opened in recent months. Harrison said it is open to everyone and is open on Wednesdays and Fridays. Eventually, she wants to open it up to other rescue groups.
The CPCHS clinic doesn’t offer vaccines except a rabies shot for those animals needing spaying or neutering. That is $14. A full list of services and prices can be found at cedartownpolkcountyhumanesociety.com.
