Gerard Pahl’s poignant letter of March 2 speaks of the tragedy that plays out daily on our roads in the valley. Countless times my husband and I have tried to get abandoned animals to trust us enough to save them, sometimes successfully, more often not. I’m sure some of them are waiting for their owners to return.
Passing by their bodies later reminds us how far we are from being a safe and humane community. Like Pahl, I know it’s usually futile to call the county animal control department. Even if they respond, we get more excuses than action.
When I joined the Palm Valley Animal Society Board of Directors in 2015, I thought education was key. Surely, if all citizens knew the importance of sterilization, we could stop unwanted litters at the heart of the problem. But the lack of access to affordable sterilization services is by far the biggest challenge.
In a county of nearly a million people, I’m pretty sure we only have one low-cost clinic, with appointments available months from now. More clinics and vets are desperately needed.
At PVAS these days, 9 out of 10 animals that come in have vital results, but a significant percentage of them have or had homes. Increasing access to inexpensive microchipping would help keep more pets with their families.
For those unwilling or unable to keep their pets, PVAS can help them explore humane repatriation options.
As for residents whose idea of animal control is to abandon their pet or litter box at the side of a busy road, they are the ones who should suffer the consequences, not the innocent and bewildered animals left to the lookout for a familiar face.
Keely Lewis
Edinburgh
Comments are closed.