6/22/2009 6:00:00 AM Shelter deal 'a good start,' animal advocates say Havasu Humane Society takes over county operations on Aug. 1
MCSO/ Courtesy
Western Arizona Humane Society Executive Director Victoria Cowper shakes hands with Sheriff Tom Sheahan. The Humane Society will take over operations at the Kingman Animal Shelter in August.
KINGMAN - Local animal rescue groups are excited about Western Arizona Humane Society in Lake Havasu City taking over operations at the Mohave County Animal Shelter in Kingman.
"We're very glad the county has agreed to contract with the Humane Society," said Jen Miles of Mohave Companion Animals Rescue Efforts Network, or CARE-Net. "We hope the community will surround the shelter with volunteer support."
"I think this is great," said Roy Hayes of CARE-Net. "This is a good start."
WAHS Executive Director Victoria Cowper was in Kingman Wednesday to start work on the transition. The Humane Society is slated to take over full operation of the shelter on Aug. 1. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 3.
WAHS personnel are currently working with Mohave County Sheriff's Office Animal Control officers in order to make a smooth transition.
WAHS will lease the Kingman shelter from the county and plans to make some minor cosmetic changes to it and add some computers. Mohave County Sheriff's Animal Control officers will still be in charge of enforcing laws concerning animals.
WAHS will face some obstacles in taking over the old Kingman shelter. The building was built in the late 1970s or early '80s and only has 40 kennels for animals.
Last year, the Kingman shelter took in 5,666 animals and had to destroy 4,421, according to Mattie's Fund, an organization designed to encourage more no-kill animal shelters across the nation. Luckily, around 771 animals were adopted out, more than 200 were given to CARENet and other animal shelters and 422 were returned to their owners.
"There's only so much they can do without a new shelter," Hayes said. A study was completed last year to see how much it would cost to build a new shelter that would meet the county's needs, but the nearly $5 million project was put on hold when the economy took a downturn.
Last year, the Humane Society took in 2,514 animals, adopted out 1,361 and had to euthanize 401, according to Mattie's Fund.
The spring and early summer months are a hard time for animal shelters in the area, Miles said. A number of puppies and kittens are born during these months. Many times the mother and the babies are dumped off at a shelter after the former owner realizes how much work they can be.
However, both CARENet and WAHS would rather see pet owners drop their pets off at a shelter, where there is a chance the animal may be adopted, than to leave the animal to fend for itself in the desert or in a foreclosed home.
Educating the public about the need to spay and neuter their pets is an ongoing battle, Miles and Hayes said.
It's not that people are not aware of the need to spay or neuter an animal, Hayes said. Many people are more than willing to adopt an animal, but when they take it to the vet and find out that it could cost them between $100 to $300 to spay or neuter the animal, they balk. Even with $45 coupons that are occasionally available from the Sheriff's Office, the cost can be out of the reach of many pet lovers, he said.
There is Low Cost Spay and Neuter on Northern Avenue in Kingman, but the organization's clinics are often booked well in advance.
"We'll never be able to get this under control without educating the public," Hayes said. "The shelter is doing what it can, but it doesn't have the facilities."
Miles and Hayes hope the Humane Society will bring its community outreach programs to the Kingman area. The Society is well known in the Havasu area for setting up animal adoption clinics at the local Petsmart and for its welcoming atmosphere for volunteers.
If WAHS can bring that same outreach program to the Kingman area, it may be able to increase the number of animals that are adopted and decrease the number killed despite the lack of space in the shelter, they said.
Flexibility
"Our mission is slightly different from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office," Cowper said. "We have a certain flexibility that the Sheriff's Office doesn't have."
The Humane Society can use foster homes and work with no-kill organizations to help keep down the number of animals destroyed. It can also set up clinics at local stores to encourage people to adopt animals, something the Sheriff's Office may not have been able to do.
The Humane Society does plan to bring its outreach programs to the area and hopes to decrease the number of animals killed each year. Yet despite their best efforts, some animals will have to be killed, Cowper said. There are just too many of them and not enough good homes to put them in.
Community
outreach
There has been a lot of finger-pointing about who's to blame for the large number of animals that are euthanized, Cowper said. Some of that is because the shelter is now too small for the area. But the community also needs to get involved in the process. The organization needs more residents who are willing to volunteer their time at the shelter or to foster animals in their homes.
"We need more community outreach programs and more adoptions," she said. "This is not the animals' fault. We hope this will be a change in the animal welfare for the area."
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Chase
People would spay and neuter their animals if the veterinarians wouldn't make it so expensive. I lay a lot of blame on the vets. If prices were reasonable enough for pet owners, guess what, there would be more spayed and neutered animals. Bring down the prices for the owners. we are not asking for it to be free, just lower cost. Thank you Low Cost Spay and Neuter for existing. I have taken my two cats to you to get fixed and you always do a fantastic job and you are very affordable.
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Nancy
I am sickened by the number of animals destroyed. The problem is not education. It is the number of low lifes who get an animal as a status symbol (such as a pit bull). They think it makes them look like a gangster. They never spay or neuter, and then either breed them or let them become impregnated by their neighbors intact dog. Unless they have an IQ of double digits, they know how this happens.
This city needs to demand all animals be spayed or neutered as they are doing in some cities in California. Illegals also are too blame. If you have ever gone to Mexico you would be appalled by their lack of any care of their animals. They get cute puppies and kittens, they grow up, and they fend for themselves. Their horses are also under weight and sick. I went horseback riding in Rosarita. In the beautiful rolling hills above the city is a horror of discarded kittens and puppies in cardboard boxes, along with the usual dirty diapers. They have brought these habits to the U.S. Kingman is full of illegals. The paper is full of ads for free puppies and kittens.
I realize that accidents happen, that pets can get out and become pregnant. The problem is the animal who has repeat performances. Unless you have a papered show quality animal, you have no business breeding. Now people are deliberately crossbreeding and charging ridiculous amounts for these mutts. If you must have a purebred, you can find any breed you fancy in rescue groups all across the country, in every state.
I wonder what would happen if we put our influx of criminals in the dog pound, and let the innocent victims of human stupidity live in our luxurious jails.
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Paul LaVoie
This is definitely a step in the right direction. MCSO is stretched thin enough just housing people and as a Havasu resident, I can confidently tell all animal lovers that WAHS is a top-notch organization. Kudos to Tom Sheahan!
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Article comment by:
willie
This is long over due. I am very pleased that his has come about. I wish the County could have given them more funding. Perhaps instead of allowing the Supersize and Department Heads a vehicle of their choice up to 40,000. That alone is a lot more money to go to an excellent cause. Too Bad our elected Supersizes really dont care to find and fund this project with more money. How about a new Animal Shelter, that in it self speaks volumes - oh wait there is no money it all went towards the new vehicles of their choice up to 40, 000.
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I am so pleased and happy about this news. As a animal rights activist and also helped out at the Humaine Society in New York State.
I just wish people would learned to take
responsibiities for their (PET'S) including the cats who roam the streets. I have seen to many get hit by a car or infested with diseases and I blame those who are careless, irrisponsible. It's not these poor animals fault its the people who shouldn't even have pets if they cannot take care of them properly.
I say to all SPAYED & NEUTER your pets please.
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Former PPO supporter
This has been along time coming! I (along with countless others) are totally thrilled about this development. We wish it could have happened sooner, to save all theanimals that have died for no goo d reason, but better late than Never! I solute all unknown people who tried to help over the years without any recognition, maybe now they can get involved witha renewed spirit. I also solute the activists who have worked so hard to make this happen, finally. Let's work with them, UNITY & a giving spirit WILL makea difference.
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
please send me a number to contact to get info on becoming foster parents for the up coming shelter here in kingman. thank you...
