At the shelter

"I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." - Mahatma Gandhi

Friends, as many of you know, we receive around 100 pets a week at the shelter. Many are in good shape but some arrive in poor condition. One pit arrived with acid poured on its back. We suspect it was to make him mean so he would be a fighter. It did not work because despite what had been done to him, he still had a sweet nature. He was found running loose and of course no one knew who it belonged to. One of the positives of the Michael Vick case was it called attention to the plight of pits who were made into fighters. Although some breeds tend to be more aggressive, it is not always the dog, it is the owner and what they do with the dog. Some of the dogs we receive have been neglected, starved, some have severe intestinal parasites, mange, heartworms (which means certain death if not treated). Heartworms could have been avoided by monthly heartworm prevention, which is much cheaper than treating. Some animals are in such poor condition, they cannot be saved and it is more humane to euthanize them, which is mercifully the best thing in such cases. Pets that are ill receive vet treatment at our local vet clinics as well as vet/treatment at the shelter. We ask ourselves how people can starve or neglect one of God's creatures? They seem to view them as "just a dog" or "just a cat" who have no feelings. We ask ourselves how people can own a cat or dog for years and then bring the confused pet to the shelter because they "just don't want it any more?" These pets grieve for their owners and are depressed. They are used to a home environment and don't understand why they were not wanted or what they did wrong. Shelter personnel and volunteers must have a deep love and compassion for the animals. Otherwise, they could not bare it. They know they are helping and caring for the animals in every way they can. It takes a special person to do the jobs they do. We all rejoice every time a pet is adopted or rescued. It means a life is saved. Please visit the shelter and meet all of the deserving pets who only want someone to love and care for them properly. We stay at capacity and their life depends on it. It seems when one is adopted, two or three more take its place. We feel like we are paddling upstream. Please be a responsible pet owner and spay or neuter the pets you now own to stop rampant pet overpopulation. Otherwise, nothing will change.

'Toby' is a handsome, young, gray-striped tabby who enjoys having his ears scratched. 'Doodle' is an affectionate gray-and-white-striped kitten who is looking for a fur-ever home with cat lovers. The three cat rooms are full of beautiful cats and adorable kittens. Stop by The Pet Stop any day of the week to see a selection of shelter cats and kittens.

'Clementine' is a precious tri-colored feist mix with a docked tail and would love to keep you company. She is heartworm negative. 'Socks' is aptly named with his white-ticked (freckled) feet. He is a mixed black lab, around a year old, heartworm negative and housebroken. He would make a great family dog. We have many more wonderful pets to tell you about. Please go to dyerhumane.org or petfinder.com and type 38024 zip to see many of these deserving animals.

What would we do without our local rescue groups? Since Sept. 12, 2008 Laura Hart's "Almost Home" rescue located at The Pet Stop has saved more than 260 lives of animals who would have been euthanized for lack of homes. Another wonderful local rescue is Jill Joyner's "One Step Closer to Home" who rescues many of our pets who languish at the shelter because they are heartworm positive or other reasons. She also saves four-legged friends in the Western Tennessee area and acts as a sister to all larger rescues. Animal Care Hospital and PETcetera, located on St. John Extended, have teamed up with the shelter to raise awareness of the unlimited number of abandoned pets in need of loving homes. Stop by PETcetera to view a canine ready for immediate adoption.

Thank you for hearing our plea for dog blankets and blanket material. We are so appreciative and know the animals are. Are you looking for something worthwhile to do with your time this summer? Would you like to make a difference in a pet's life? We need you at the shelter! Walk dogs, bathe and brush the animals, socialize, or just bring pet treats and toys to the animals while they are waiting for forever homes. We have a visitation room and also a fenced, grassy play area for dogs and puppies. The shelter has other needs as well. Many times some of our shelter dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens must eat canned dog/puppy or cat/kitten food due to health reasons. We also appreciate dry dog and cat food, as well as regular litter, paper towels, cleaning and office supplies.

Honor and remember your loved ones by helping local homeless shelter pets. Please make a tax-deductible donation to the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. Specify how your donation should be directed. Categories are: General donations, The Beagley Fund (heartworm treatment), Save a Life Makeover (professional grooming), and Memorials. Please mail to the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 223, Dyersburg, TN 38025-0223.

The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. The shelter is located at 1120 E. Court St. and phone number is 285-4889.