Guest Commentary: By Tami Crawford
Today is a day set aside to bring awareness of the thousands of lost, abandoned and unwanted animals facing uncertain futures in communities across the nation.
As this day approaches, my heart grows heavy with the sadness that so many people continue to view animals as disposable products, simply replaced by another after their pet has been lost or relinquished. For those of us working at shelters and rescue organizations, it is baffling to see the extremes exhibited by pet owners.
We see people searching day after day to find their lost pet and we see dogs and cats arrive at our shelter so neglected that we cannot fathom the poor treatment by their owners. We cry with pet owners when their pets pass away and we hear other owners call their pets “promiscuous” because she “just keeps getting pregnant.” We try to hold on to the strong love many feel for their pets, and continue to work hard to change the others.
At Valley Oak SPCA, we do not hold any illusions that all of the uncaring, unkind pet owners will miraculously change; instead we hope we can move them up a level or two. At the very least, have your pet spayed or neutered so they stop producing more unwanted offspring.
On an average day at our shelter, about 30 animals are euthanized. Many of them could have been someone’s best friend, someone’s needed companion. But without enough space to hold them or enough foster homes to help us care for them, we are left with only one regrettable decision. I say a nightly prayer for the staff who must euthanize the animals. I pray they will be able to compartmentalize and I pray that our communities will become more aware of their actions and how those behaviors affect the rest of us working on behalf of the animals.
Today, Valley Oak SPCA will again line our street with green flags and our shelter with posters to remind visitors and those driving by about the needless deaths of so many innocent dogs and cats.
Unfortunately, many dogs and cats arrive at shelters without any form of identification, including a microchip, which makes it difficult to get them reunited with their owners. A microchip can mean the difference between life and death for some pets. It’s easy to do and doesn’t cost much. Your local shelter and veterinarians can microchip your pet.
We invite you to Valley Oak SPCA in Visalia today to view our flag display and photos commemorating this day and perhaps adopt your next pet. They truly are grateful for the second chance.
Lastly, we beg you to have your dog or cat altered in order to reduce the numbers of unwanted births of puppies and kittens. And please search for your lost pet, at the shelter and in your neighborhood. When you are ready for a new pet, please adopt and give the unwanted, homeless pets another chance.
Crawford is executive director of the Valley Oak SPCA.
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