As the La Plata County Humane Society reaches a milestone of over 50 years serving the Four Corners, we are finally moving forward with plans for capital improvements and a major kennel renovation. These improvements are happening not a moment too soon.
While a huge number of animals were adopted in 2020 amid the COVID-19 surge, 2021 saw a population explosion. Animal shelters across the country, including La Plata County Humane Society, are exceeding capacity on a regular basis. This year, LPCHS has seen an overwhelming influx of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs. We have had to get creative to create more space, turning office spaces, exam rooms and break rooms into spaces where animals can stay when our kennel is maxed out. In November and December alone, we received 357 animals, an increase of 25% from the previous year. Strays and impounds have increased by 30% and owner surrenders increased by 40%.
Services that help control the pet population, such as spay/neuter clinics, were suspended during the pandemic, leading to a marked increase in unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. The headway made in mitigating the cat overpopulation problem in the country over the past several years has disappeared overnight.
Don’t get me wrong, we love our furry friends, but we want to make sure everyone gets a happy, healthy, loving, forever home. As we move into a, hopefully, calmer 2022, we encourage all pet owners to get their pets fixed.
According to ASPCA, spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Neutering your male companion helps to prevent testicular cancer and some prostate problems. The process also helps animals live longer, healthier lives overall. On average, altering your canine will increase their life span one to three years. Altering your cat can increase their lifespan three to five years and reduce their urge to roam and spray inappropriately.
La Plata County Humane Society offers monthly low cost spay/neuter clinics to help make it easier to do the right thing for your pet. Please do your part by calling your vet or the shelter to schedule a time to get your pet spayed or neutered. Together, we can help reduce pet overpopulation.
To learn more about our low cost spay neuter program, visit www.lpchumanesociety.org.
Wendy Ludgewait is a La Plata County Humane Society board member.
