May 22, 2011
Economy takes toll on families, animalsBY MARY WICOFF Commercial-News The Commercial-News Sun May 22, 2011, 04:12 AM CDT
DANVILLE — The Vermilion County Animal Shelter keeps a box of Kleenex on its counter for those who have to give up their pets. “It’s hard on us to see people cry — they’re devastated,” volunteer Nancy Gulick said.
Pets are feeling the pinch of a tough economy, as more owners find it’s too expensive to feed and maintain the health of an animal. Representatives at all three shelters say they’ve seen an increase in the number of animals surrendered or abandoned by their owners.
The higher number of animals puts a strain on the shelters, too, which have their own financial struggles.
City shelterAt the Humane Society of Danville, workers are picking up more dogs that have been dumped. Recently, someone left five dogs in the shelter yard, all apparently from the same household.
Shawn Miller, who will become shelter director in July, said people may be turning their animals loose so they don’t have to pay the turn-in fee at the shelter — $7 per dog and $5 per cat. However, the shelter will work out a payment plan if a family turns in several pets at once.
The fees help cover the pet’s expenses, such as food, he said, adding, “We don’t think it’s too much to ask.”
When people do turn in an animal, the most common reason is that they’re moving, Miller said.
Miller said it’s much better for the pet if the owner turns it in. In that case, the dog or cat can be put on the adoption floor right away, and it has a better chance of finding a home.
Otherwise, all strays picked up have to be held seven days, which is stressful on the animal.
If a pet gets loose, the owner has to pay several fees to reclaim it, including the $35 impound fee and $5 a day boarding. If needed, there’s also a $7.50 fee for a city license, $15 for a microchip and $20 for vaccinations.
Some people would rather leave the animal at the shelter than pay those costs. However, Miller said, a responsible owner comes looking for his pet.
There is no screening process to adopt an animal from the city shelter, but the staff reserves the right to reject a person based on past history or if there are suspicions about his ability to care for the pet.
In 2010, the city shelter adopted out 307 dogs and cats, returned 306 to their owners, picked up 154 bodies and euthanized 902.
County shelterAt the Vermilion County Animal Shelter, there is no charge for a person to drop off an animal. However, the shelter does ask for a donation.
The county shelter, as well as the other two, will take animals besides dogs and cats, such as hamsters, rabbits, ferrets and birds.
The reasons heard most often by the staff are that the people are moving, downsizing or they can’t afford it.
J.R. Mosay, acting director, said he’s noticed a higher number of animals returned that were adopted years ago, and the people can no longer afford the pet.
“These were people who were responsible owners three to four years ago, but they can’t do it now,” he said. “These are people who really care for animals, but they don’t have the financial capabilities anymore.”
Still, they’re doing the right thing by returning the animal to the shelter, he said.
If it’s a loved pet, the family wants to know the animal will find a home. There’s no guarantee that will happen, Gulick said, but an animal entering the shelter does have a good chance.
In recent years, Gulick has been involved with several rescue groups, and has managed to save hundreds of animals.
Mosay said, “We take pride in the fact we’re trying to save as many as we can. They’re going out the door faster than you can learn their names.”
Animals are euthanized only if they’re not adoptable due to health or temperament problems. The euthanization rate is way below the national average of about 50 percent.
In the first four months of this year, 678 animals have come in to the shelter, and 492 have gone to homes or rescue sites. During the same time period in 2010, 667 animals came in and 480 went out.
Gulick said, “The community should be proud of the shelter and what it’s doing to help them with their pets that they can’t take care of anymore. We understand how hard it is with this economy.
“It’s bad enough that they have to give up a part of their family, but they should have some peace of mind knowing there are people who care. From the moment they bring them in the door, we are working on getting them out and into a home or rescue.”
Gulick also said the shelter is seeing more animals brought in with heartworms, possibly because the owners can’t afford the heartworm preventative tablets, and also more cases of canine influenza. Mosay said the shelter used to see two or three heartworm cases a month, but now workers are seeing five in one week, from all parts of the county.
The county shelter has a screening process, which includes calling the veterinarian used by the person in the past. Some people are denied.
If a person returns an animal that’s been adopted, he or she has to wait six months before adopting again.
No-kill shelterCARA — Citizens for Animal Rescue and Adoption — is a no-kill shelter that opened in Tilton in April 2009. The shelter is always full, and there is a waiting list if you want to surrender a dog or cat.
Volunteers are seeing more animals being brought in. However, adoptions are up as CARA becomes better known.
The top reasons people give for surrendering an animal are: they’re moving and the landlord won’t allow pets, and allergies, according to volunteer Kim Blodgett. A lot say they can’t afford the shots, medical care and grooming.
People who surrender a mother cat are asked to pay $50 for her spay surgery. In recent weeks, the shelter received nine sets of mothers and kittens.
CARA has an application process that could involve home visits and vet references. CARA’s adoption fees are $60 for cats and $80 for dogs, and that includes spay/neuter, microchip, shots.
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Shelter expenses
The Danville shelter receives $73,000 a year from the city, and the rest of its budget comes from fees, adoptions and the thrift shop, a major contributor.
Like everyone else, however, the shelter is being hurt by gas prices. The trucks, which run seven days a week, take $800 a month in gas. “We can’t waive fees, or we couldn’t stay afloat,” Miller said.
Gulick, who drives to rescue sites in Chicago and Indianapolis, said, “Gas prices are killing us.” The animal shelter foundation, which pays for the gas, would appreciate donations of gas cards, she said.
Gas prices are hurting CARA, too, which takes animals to Indiana for spay/neuter. But, Blodgett said, “We’re still doing it.” “Because it needs to be done,” Richardson quickly added.
CARA couldn’t operate without its volunteers, both women said. At least 30-40 people volunteer on a regular basis.
A good feeling
While rescuing and caring for animals can be stressful, everyone agreed the benefits outweigh the stress. Richardson said new owners will post pictures of their happy pets on CARA’s Facebook page.
“That’s what makes it all worthwhile — that’s why we do it, for the rewards,” Richardson said. “We do it because of love for every animal,” Blodgett said. “We love them.”
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