![[SeMissourian.com]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (8)
Share link
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Furl
Reddit
GoogleApproximately 75 to 80 percent of dogs and cats are euthanized locally as a result of this overpopulation, said Bedford County Animal Control Director Michael Gregory.
"Southern states are about 20 years behind the north," Gregory said, in terms of controlling their pet population.
As of this week, the Spay-Neuter Committee needs $7,000 before it can open, Gregory said. That may not seem like a lot, but the problem, Gregory said, is that there is a time limit for which that $7,000 can be raised.
"We received a $10,000 grant to go toward the $20,000," Gregory said. "But that grant is only good for one year, so we need to spend that money, or give it back."
Gregory said he'd like the clinic to be operational by spring. The committee has set up a fund in the name of the spay/neuter clinic at People's Bank in Shelbyville, and committee members are asking citizens to help control the county's overpopulation of pets by contributing to that account.
"We also need people to help on the committee," said Kimberly Warren, of Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association. "Anyone interested in helping can contact me ... we really need help."
The spay and neuter clinic will "target the problem areas," Gregory said, stressing that people who can afford to take their pets to veterinarians for spaying and neutering will not be eligible for care at the low cost clinic. Mainly, it will serve low income families and elderly folks on fixed incomes.
"A lot of times, the elderly can't afford to adopt a pet and have it spayed," Warren said. "But animals are such great companions for the elderly."
Once the clinic opens, every animal will be spayed or neutered upon adoption. Currently, people who adopt pay a deposit, which is returned to them once they have the pet spayed or neutered on their own.
"But it doesn't always happen," Gregory said. "This will ensure no one slips through the cracks."
Besides the $10,000 grant, Warren said the committee raised the other $3,000 from the Hawgs for the Dawgs fundraiser this past fall, as well as a couple of private donations.
The committee is currently brainstorming potential fundraising ideas. After hearing of the recent success of United Way's and First Choice Pregnancy's 5K runs, they're thinking about sponsoring their own run in early spring.
"We thought March would be a good time to maybe have one," Gregory said. "By then, I've heard people will be itching to get outside and run."
Benefits of spaying and neutering
* Helps cats and dogs live longer and healthier lives
* Eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer, and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer
* Prevents various reproductive tract disorders
* Eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of benign prostate disease
* Spayed and neutered animals generally make better, more loyal pets
* Eliminates heat cycles , and stops unwelcome visits by hordes of suitors (females)
* Stops the mating drive and related fighting, and stops the urge for roaming (males)
* Smaller (county) budgets are needed by reducing the number of strays housed, fed or euthanized
* Community members are not bothered by strays who may destroy their property and threaten their community.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
To donate to Bedford County's Spay/Neuter Clinic fund, visit People's Bank at 1122 N. Main St. in Shelbyville, or call Bedford County Animal Control at 685-1130 or Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association at 684-5463.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Being responsible pet owners, we had our dog spayed at 6 months old. It cost $85. I think it should be illegal for people who are not professional, humane breeders to have dogs that are not spayed or neutered. I live down the street from a family who started out with 1 yellow lab and 1 mut. They now have 1 yellow lab, 4 lab mixes, and the other mut. This is all because they are too cheap or lazy to have their animals fixed. The dogs stay cooped up in a kennel that is NOT large enough for them, or they are on a chain. The family never plays with them or has any constructive time with them. They are simply lawn ornaments. Now the dogs are so unstable they bark to the point of driving the whole neighborhood mad. We've called animal control at least 5 times, but nothing is ever done. Their mut likes to terrorize the kids in the neighborhood and has actually nearly bitten a few of them. We've had our run-ins with it too. Our dog can't even go play in her own yard when that dog is on the loose. Again, we call Animal Control and nothing is done. The next time that animal threatens me, my dog, or another human, I'm just going to call the police and be done with it. I don't want to waste their time, but something has to give!
jtjustice,
I must say that your crude comments are very out putting. I myself have 3 large dogs. I do not think it was very appropriate for you to make the remarks that you did about that family's pets. You stated that the family had to dogs and that there are now six. Well, yes it seems they had a litter. No big deal and in case you hadn't noticed it isn't illegal to have dogs on a chain so long as the chain is long enough for them to be able to eat and and use the bathroom in seperate areas. In fact it is required in the city limits to have the dog in a pin or on a chain if the dog is being kept outside. Calling animal control because a dog barks is ridiculous. Thats what they do...they bark. As for you saying that someone is too cheap or lazy to have their dog neutered is offensive. If it only cost you $85 dollars to have your dog spayed then let me inform you of something that you obviously haven't taken the time to research before making snide remarks about it. The price to have an animal spayed is based on their age, weight, and whether or not the female has been in heat before. My female boxer who is ONLY six months old and has never been in heat cost $135 to have her spayed. The prices go higher from there. You must own a small breed. The dog on the loose should be chained or put in a pin. But, just from the comment you made about someone being too cheap or lazy I've gotten the only impression that I need to have from you. If you think it is so cheap or easy to have it done especially with the economy the way it is then please by all means pass around your wealth. Maybe you should make a generous contribution to the spay/neuter clinic. I'm sure we would all appreciate that.
3boxers,
I think if you would have read his comments, he is suggesting that there should be limits to the amount of animals you should have OUTSIDE within the city limits. Having 3-6 dogs outside 24/7 and barking ALL of the time can be quite annoying. Not only that it brings down the property value of the houses around them. I couldn't even imagine the smell.
To say what he stated was offensive or crude is ridiculous. If they are pets, why are they never played with?
The cost of spay neuter also depends where you have it done at all vets charge differently,outside of the county some are cheaper so check around. It is very irresponsible not to have your animal neutered or spayed then allow them to have puppies that you can't find a home for. Look on the website now and petfinder.com at all the ones who needs a home here in Bedford Co. people put them out on the side of the road and they are scared they starve and have no protection from the elements only to have people yell or shoot at them and run them off. How would you like to try and survive that way! It is time people take responsibility and the laws need to be stricter for those who do not.
Harris Vet Clinic in Chapel Hill is more than reasonable, with a kind, courteous and knowledgeable staff. I still use a Bedford Co. vet for my horses, but I got tired of being treated in a rude manner and then shafted on the bill for my dogs.
I used to use Dr. Perryman and was crushed when he retired. I hope you make the money. One of the rescues I donate to uses eBay. They take in donations and sell the stuff to make money for the rescue.
I never said that I agree with all of the strays running around in this county. Trust me it breaks my heart to see an animal that has been injured in the roadways or that is starving and yes I have saved well over 15 dogs. I have had the spayed myself out of my pocket and found good homes for them. So, no I do not condone it. I'm not sure why people seem to think that its that big of a problem to have a dog bark. I have tried shock collars on some of my previous pets. They do not work and they seem painful. I have also tried the underground electric wires. They are ineffective also. To say that a pet has become uncontrollable and barks because they are neglected is ridiculous. I spent a great amount of time with my animals each day and they have been in training...but ya know what? They still bark. They do not have voices and they bark when they are in pain, or are happy, or when they are threatened, or even when they are trying to protect their territory. I suggest all of you so called "high class" people with your perfect small breeds who never make so much as a wimper keep your comments to yourselves. I've never been so disgusted with the ignorance in this town. For the record I never said that it is ok to have all the strays and in case you can't tell I do agree with neutering/spaying. But to say that it is that inexpensive is ridiculous not to mention the follow-ups at the vet if something were to go wrong which happens easily. Please research everything before you start commenting.
I think something should be done about the strays but also about the cost of having your animal spayed or neuterd. The last time I had my cat spayed I took her to M'boro to the Beasley Animal Clinic. They are wonderful and fairly priced. It would be wonderful if the new spay clinic could be like the Beasley Clinic.
i have animals dumped behind my house all the time. I spay and neuter them and try to find them good home. This gets very expensive. We used a bonus check to spay two sister kittens.
I do not regret the money however.
I used to work at a vets office in Monteagle and the ignorance of people constantly astounded me, they thought a dog or cat should have one litter of pups or kittens before spaying to "season" them . Say what??
can you say ignorance??
If i had the money i would donate it all thisis a essential program to end the overpopulation and stray problem.
My neighbor has another solution, she just poisons them all, but that is not a good solution ..
Lets raise the money folks and help these innocent animals out.