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County combats animal population |
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Thursday, 29 March 2007 |
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part series on the local pet population problem.
by ERICA DURHAM
Intern News Reporter
As you walk through the door of Watauga County Animal Control, all seems silent, but a short walk through to the dog kennel leads to the noise explosion of small puppies whining and barking for attention.
From week to week, dogs come and go continuously. Some are fostered or adopted, while others are killed.
Watauga
County has an average of 30 homeless pets brought into animal control,
animal shelters and Watauga County Humane Society per week. This amount
is what causes animal control to euthanize an average of nine dogs per
week, Summer Sheffield, Watauga County Animal Control officer, said.
This problem may not seem to affect Appalachian State University
students since many cannot keep pets in their apartments, residence
halls or homes.
However, students who do have pets can easily solve this problem with spaying or neuterering.
“It has been documented that keeping pets is a health benefit for many
people, including lowered blood pressure, improved mood and
self-esteem. The simple truth is that if animals didn’t benefit people
in our culture, we wouldn’t keep them as pets,” Sheffield said. “For a
college student thinking about adopting a pet, think it through.
Remember this is a 10-to 20-year [commitment]. Find out if you have
someone to fall back on if you travel or relocate.”
Many college students with pets find themselves paying higher rents.
Having a pet makes student rent higher, and in Boone, it is hard to find pet-friendly housing.
“It is a wonderful experience, but it does have a price,” Sheffield said.
There are many benefits of adopting a pet versus purchasing one from a breeder, pet store or puppy mill.
“It really depends on a lot of things. Purebred dogs tend to have more
genetic health problems than mixed breeds,” Sheffield said. “It is best
to just know where you’re buying from. A purebred dog from a puppy mill
is not the same as one from a qualified breeder, but most people don’t
see how the pups are raised. Some people prefer adopting older dogs
because they don’t want the energy and training necessary for all
puppies.”
Watauga Humane Society Kennel Manager Kristina Canipe said some of her
personal research “has shown that animals from breeders tend to have
more health problems than the average mixed breed.”
Animal shelters are committed to trying to get their pets in good homes, not just out of the shelter.
“There are so many reasons. For one, it cuts down on animal overpopulation,” Canipe said.
Many people believe that animals provide responsibility for children but also provide great companionship to adults.
“Animals teach us unconditional love, responsibility and life lessons
we all need to learn,” Nancy Coffey, volunteer for Friends for Life of
Boone, said.
Associations like Watauga Humane Society are always looking for volunteers.
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