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Saturday, May 24, 2003

Spay-neuter program solves problems

By JACQUE ESTES | News-Journal Correspondent

Abandoned animals, especially cats, are a concern in Flagler County. Whether you are one of those who feed the feral animals, or one who wants them trapped and taken off the street, the main goal is the same -- the well-being of both the animals and residents.

Sadly, there are people who try to rid the area of feral cats by inhumane means. Recently, five gallons of antifreeze was discovered poured out in the dirt next to a feral cat colony behind a hotel in Palm Coast. Antifreeze has a very sweet taste and animals will lick it up like food. Antifreeze is fatal to animals and it is also extremely harmful to the environment.

The person or persons who dumped this poisonous material should be aware that this is not an acceptable solution to the feral cat problem and it is against the law. The penalty for exposing poison is a first-degree misdemeanor charge.

Feral cat colonies have become a problem in Flagler County. Well-meaning individuals trying to help these cats often go out and feed them, but unfortunately this only increases the problem. These abandoned cats haven't had the proper vaccines and are a threat to humans and small wildlife.

The first step to eliminating feral cat colonies is to stop the abandonment. There is no excuse to dump a litter of kittens in Flagler County. The Flagler County Humane Society takes in kittens every day, trying to find homes for as many as possible. In the wild, these kittens don't stand a chance of finding a home and may be killed themselves by wild animals or cars. No cat's life was ever saved by "setting it free."

Animal abandonment is also a first-degree misdemeanor and may result in a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment.

The true solution to the cat population explosion is simple -- spay or neuter. I know there are many who roll their eyes back in their head when they hear those two words. It seems that is all the humane society people ever talk about. Anyone who has been at the shelter has a better idea of why this is their mantra.

It amazes me when people bring in a litter of kittens, expecting the shelter to promise to find homes for them. Like proud parents, they present their kittens, who they believe are the most adorable ever. Certainly people will line up to adopt them. Well, in all of the years I have been writing this column, I have never seen anyone line up for kittens. There are just too many kittens and it is their nature to be adorable.

The shelter will take the kittens and, yes, they will do their best to find homes for each and every one. In a perfect world there would be a loving person waiting for each of them and all would go to good homes. This may be paradise but it isn't perfect and the number of homeless animals simply outnumbers the available homes.

There are many reasons people give for not having their animals spayed and neutered. None are valid, especially if the dog or cat has had multiple litters of unwanted animals. Spaying and neutering is healthier for the adult animal and having the operation beats leaving litters of animals out in the wild to fend for themselves.

It seems that finances are on everyone's mind these days. Sometimes the paycheck just doesn't stretch as far as we need it to. Animal surgery often gets knocked off the priority list in favor of mortgages, food and other necessities, and becomes something that will be done only if there is extra money after the monthly bills are paid. If this is the reason you aren't having a pet spayed or neutered, come in or call the shelter for low cost options. The ARNI Foundation, (386) 267-0277, provides low cost spaying and neutering services and there are low cost spay/neuter certificates available at the Flagler County Humane Society, (386) 445-1814. Flagler and Volusia counties also have county rebates available to all pet owners who have their animals spayed or neutered.

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