Animal Talk/News

This past week I read in the paper as I’m sure did many of you, a wonderful article centered around a major non-profit Spay/Neuter effort down around Biloxi, Mississippi. Being inundated with unwanted stray pets, the group in Mississippi spays or neuters these unfortunate animals then arranges transport for literally thousands annually to northern states, where they’re adopted into good homes. The basic reason behind the necessity of this heartwarming effort is certainly uncomplimentary to the southeast.

It pretty much all boils down to the fact that the majority of states in other areas have instituted viable and reasonable animal control through a combination of stringently enforced spay/neuter and leash laws. Consequently, those states don’t have a huge number of dogs running loose, impregnating other dogs and therefore, certain types may be at a premium. In the southeast, however, such spay/neuter and leash laws are generally enforced haphazardly, if indeed at all. Such neglect results in the horrendous domestic animal overpopulation problem that is found in most southeastern states with one offender mentioned as being Alabama. While thankful that Tennessee wasn’t mentioned in the same vein, I know in my heart that we are not far behind.

What I just cannot understand is why thousands and thousands of unwanted domestic animals die each year in Greene County alone, when viable and generally acceptable means to address the problem are readily available. I don’t know about you but I don’t think we’re that stupid and I for one, am sick and tired of being the butt of ridicule because of our intransigence on this issue. And please, don’t give me that worn argument about our not needing new laws. All we need is a spay neuter law, most other statutes are already in place and only require enforcement. One place we can start is to make all of our Animal Control officers certified law enforcement officers. They are often confronted when investigating complaints with “iffy” situations that can turn ugly in a heartbeat and to not so empower them, I think is unconscionable. Let’s put some “teeth” in their bite.

And now, a few quick thank-you’s. We are very indebted to our local Wal-Mart store’s Manager, Buddy Kolb and employees Darlene Patton and Myra Shelton for their support. We are also just as indebted to the wonderful folks at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center for theirs as well. These two divisions of the same Corporation furnish our animals with both significant and continuing assistance. Thank-you and God Bless!
I don’t have to tell you how comforting it is to have a plumber who is extremely competent, who responds virtually immediately in cases of emergencies and most especially, is very reasonably priced. When one makes such a find, you want to share the news with your friends. Toward that end if you don’t already have such a plumber, we suggest you call the one we use at our Animal Adoption Center, Doug Reneau’s DR Plumbing. Should you like to avail yourself of Doug’s services, you only need call DR Plumbing at 522-4731. You might want to put his number on a Post It and put it on your fridge. Hey, you never know.