Editorial | Help keep shelter numbers down
In newsroom jargon, we call stories that repeat annually “evergreens.”
Some are welcome.
Who doesn’t await rainy season?
Others, not so much.
“Kitten season” is among the latter.
Yes, we have among us those who unabashedly call ourselves “pet parents” and the “kitten season” press releases, with their pleas for fosters, adopters and “weekend warriors” to help with the numerous fluff-balls that end up at Lee County Domestic Services, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, the Gulf Coast Humane Society and other shelters are troubling.
Unfortunately, like clockwork, we got the perennial June release that “kitten season” is in full swing.
While here in Southwest Florida, kitten season seems to be perpetual, spring is particularly bad for “outdoor cats,” strays, ferals and cat castaways left to fend for themselves.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services is again asking the community for help.
The county shelter needs fosters — those willing to care for underage kittens (and puppies as well) — prospective adopters looking to provide fur-ever homes and, always, donations.
There are a couple of other things that we can do as well and both fall into the area of prevention.
First, the obvious: Spay and neuter the pets that we have.
The best way to mitigate “kitten season” and the annual influx into shelters throughout Lee County is to prevent unwanted litters.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services summed up the situation succinctly in its latest release:
“Each year at this time, warmer weather triggers feline mating and causes shelters to see a large influx of kittens of all ages needing care. Cats can begin reproducing as young as four months old and may have multiple litters each year.”
Simply put, shelters are overwhelmed with intakes and, much as we would all like to believe in fairy godmothers and happily-ever-afters, not every kitten, cat — or puppy or dog for that matter — is going to be placed in a forever home.
Or even a foster.
There are simply too many animals and too few homes.
In May alone, Lee County Domestic Animal Services took in 664 cats and kittens. They also took in 279 dogs and puppies and 18 “other” animals like bunnies or ferrets. Of the 958 total, 155 animals were adopted, 279 were sent to other rescues and 88 were returned to their owners.
Last month, 235 pets — 38 dogs and 157 cats- were euthanized.
Let us be clear here: We do not blame Domestic Animal Services.
The county department says most of its intakes have what could be called a positive outcome.
But for many — far too many — a trip to the shelter is a death sentence.
The answer — the core answer — is to spay or neuter pets that we have.
That is wholly on every pet owner.
The procedure is low-cost and readily available, including clinics at Lee County Domestic Animal Services and the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.
But back to kitten season still being in “full swing.”
Fosters are much-needed, especially for the unweaned kittens being brought to the county’s facility.
Animal Services also has a shelter full of “adorable adult cats and kittens” ready for homes and you can bring one home, vetted and already spayed or neutered, for a small fee — or for free.
Adoption fees for cats, kittens and adult dogs are just $20 through June 30 with an approved application.
In July, Animal Services will offer free adoptions on all cats and kittens with a $30 adoption fee for adult dogs.
One other thing ahead of the big holiday weekend coming up: You can get your pet “chipped” for free and chipping can be a lifesaver for a pet brought to a shelter.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services is offering free microchipping ahead of the Independence Day holiday to ensure more pets can be reunited with their owners if they are displaced by loud festivities during the holiday weekend.
Free microchipping will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29 through July 3 at Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers. No appointment is required.
“Shelters typically see a 30% increase in lost pets between July 4 and July 6,” officials said. “Checking for a microchip is one of the first things done when a pet is brought in. Studies show that microchipping greatly increases the chances an owner will be identified; more than 50% of dogs found and 40% of cats turned into shelters were reunited with their owners, according to the ASPCA.”
This is a good way to help protect the pet you have because, yes, even the most home-bound pets do sometimes get out.
Microchipped pets have a longer “hold” as well — five days to give owners an opportunity to claim their pet. The hold for dogs without a microchip is three days. For cats? Cats without identification do not have a 24-period,” the website states.
Please: Spay. Neuter. Chip. Adopt, not shop.
Together, we can keep shelter numbers down.
Neighbor editorial