Recently, the Aiken County Animal Shelter has taken in more dogs than normal, and one of the biggest reasons is surprisingly simple: people are not keeping their dogs safely at home.
Dogs are roaming neighborhoods, seeking shade on neighbors’ porches, begging for food or simply wandering because they aren’t properly contained.
As much as we talk about the importance of spaying and neutering, we are finding ourselves having to go back to the very basics of pet ownership: Keep your pets safely contained and provide them with food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
We are also seeing dogs surrendered because their owners are unable—or unwilling—to keep them contained.
Pet ownership comes with responsibility. Pets are a gift we choose to bring into our lives, and there is a level of “parenting” involved. In return, they give us so much: love, companionship, security and friendship.
If you cannot properly care for an animal, please don’t get one. If your children desperately want a pet but you don’t have the financial means, time or energy to care for another living being, it’s okay to say no. A pet is a commitment that can last 10, 15 or even 20 years.
We see what happens when that commitment is forgotten.
Poor Flynn was recently brought back to our shelter. He was adopted from us a year ago and then rehomed multiple times before eventually ending up back where he started. All that bouncing around has left him sad and confused. He doesn’t understand what he did wrong.
Thanks to our volunteers he finally found his smile again this weekend, now he needs a home that will keep him safe and loved!
Aiken County is growing. We see new homes, new neighborhoods and new businesses everywhere. Unfortunately, at the shelter, we are also seeing more animals coming through our doors.
People often ask us, “How can I help?”
Right now, one of the biggest answers is: ADOPT.
If you have the time, resources and commitment to properly care for a dog or cat, now is the time. We have an abundance of wonderful pets desperately needing homes.
Many have already experienced neglect, instability or a lack of love. Imagine what it means to one of these animals to finally have a safe home, a full bowl, a comfortable place to sleep and someone who loves them.
Keep your pets safe. Keep them home. And if you have room in your life for another, please consider adopting.
Their lives are in our hands.
by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator