I would adopt one at any time,but the SPCA is so picky and demanding of a fenced yard, etc, etc. I just take take bags, of dog food and cans of dog foods and leave them at the shelters in various other counties to help them with their cost and hopefully the animals will have a good meal.  I have one dog,(inside) and would love to adopt another one, but I do not have the requirements etc. . So, WKRG, their are people who will take care of these animals, if you will help these animals get adopted by people who does have a heart.

Or you report and get the most gosh awful run around! Typical example, a friend tried reporting a suspected dog fighting ring a few months ago, was referred agency to agency until finally someone investigated-the only charge was too many dogs, but now all but 2 of 25 or more pitbulls have been “relocated”-hmmm. Another example, reported extremely emaciated horses to a local agency who were already well aware of this person-they proceeded to seize the horse of someone who had NEVER been in the system, yet let this repeat offender keep their animals, who continued to decline until some vigilant people went to the state level! owner still has horses, but they are looking better for now, but it should NEVER have gotten to that point. Many other instances of the ineffectiveness (though I do think some try more than others)-but I think what is needed is one centralized agency, one number for reporting, etc and follow up on actual investigations, perhaps with law enforcement.

Another problem of Animal Abuse is neglect and chaining. Visit some of the county roads (dirt) and look at dogs chained to old cars, boats and truck campers. The only world they see is the world that passes them by and they can not be apart of it. Recently we found two dogs chained one large one small there was no food and the water was nothing but slime. The small dog had died of starvation and was nothing but fur the large dog was masticated and starving. The owner passed the dog’s everyday going into his house and never even removed the dead dog. This owner was given many warnings by the city and county. Everyone can make comments and expect law makers to do something, but it takes people reporting these crimes.  How hard is it to pour some fresh water everyday and give a bowl of food. Now that spouse abuse is immediate jail time these abusers are taking their anger on animals. Help comes too late because people won’t report to law enforcement and the animal dies.

I TRIED LAST WEEK TO ADOPT A DOG FROM THE SPCA AND JANINE WOODS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY APPLICATION,  SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME I COULDNT ADOPT BECAUSE I DIDNT HAVE A FENCED IN YARD.
I TOLD HER I WAS NOT LOOKING FOR A OUTSIDE DOG THAT IT WOULD BE INSIDE.  SHE WANTED TO KNOW HOW IT WOULD GET EXERCISE AND WHAT IT WOULD DO DURING THE DAY WHEN NO ONE WAS HOME.  I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO HER THAT WE HAD A REALLY BIG YARD.  AND WE RUN IN THE AFTERNOONS BUT THEY STILL TURNED ME DOWN. THEY TALK ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE ALL THESE DOGS BUT THEY WONT LET YOU ADOPT THEM IF YOU DONT HAVE A FENCED IN YARD.  I KNOW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOGS AND DONT HAVE A FENCE,  SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THESE DOGS YOU ARE GOING TO PUT TO SLEEP BECAUSE YOU CANT GET ANYONE TO ADOPT THEM JUST THINK .....WE HAD A NICE COUPLE THAT JUST BOUGHT A NICE NEW HOUSE WITH A BIG YARD BUT THEY DONT HAVE A FENCE.

While I applaud the efforts of the Animal Control personnel and SPCA for adoption efforts, this is just the tip of the problem. People need education about spaying and neutering, to know funds are available to assist with these efforts. I am also involved in animal rescue with many other concerned individuals. It is amazing that so many people are unaware that if they have a Medicaid card they can spay or neuter their pet for about 10-20 dollars. It is also important to note, that most of the abuse/neglect, abandonment issues are in rural or lower income areas, where the availability of the Medicaid card would be more prevalent. The other problem is who to actually contact-numerous instances where one agency is contacted and states “they don’t handle that”, and then refer to another agency and on and on and on. Also lack of follow through is a big concern. I thank WKRG for continuing to stay on top of these issues, because this is truly one that has long lasting ramifications.