by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know two dogs were adopted recently, one senior and one young adult? And an adult cat and a kitten. Of course, we would love more adoptions to make room for the incoming pets that are either found as strays or being given up by their families. It never seem to balance out with more coming than going.
Just this past week alone the shelter admitted two young very pregnant, friendly stray cats who within days of each other gave birth to six kittens each! So two intakes ended up being 14!
Two dwarf hamsters were surrendered when the young daughter brought them home from a friend unexpectedly and they were decidedly unwanted by the parent. Four pretty parakeets became shelter residents because the family was moving the next day.
We received a frantic phone call asking us to intake a young male Labrador that had been adopted from a rescue called Furever Friends several months prior as a puppy on display at the Mall and he was no longer working out in the home. Although their contract with this “rescue” clearly states “In the event that you’re unable to continue caring for the animal, we kindly ask that you contact us to arrange a safe return”, arrangements for this dog’s safe return to the rescue could not be made when repeated phone calls to them went unanswered. I attempted to intervene on the family’s behalf, even directly asking for the rescue’s owner to call me back instead of the manager. No call back. However, the family received the call and were told that the rescue is okay with the shelter taking the dog. In other words, pass the buck, only in this case, its pass the dog.
An inquiring local phone call about surrendering a young adult female Chihuahua due to financial constraints has led to the need to also surrender her mother, a three year old and the dad, a ten year old male Chihuahua and two young puppies along with the grandmother, a
senior female Chihuahua and the other 5 year old adult male in the home! An instant total of 7 dogs. When asked if there were any other animals in the house, the initial response was no, just the dozen or so outside cats that are being fed, EXCEPT FOR THE FEMALE CAT WITH FOUR NURSING KITTENS IN A ROOM INSIDE!!
After our heads exploded, we agreed to intake all of the animals as it was obvious our help was needed to alleviate the situation for which the owner was so very grateful.
So 4 pets adopted out and 33 assorted ones surrendered! The shelter is currently caring for 29 dogs, 165 cats and kittens, 6 rats, 5 rabbits, 4 roosters, 4 parakeets and 2 hamsters totaling 215 animals. Last week was National Pet Week to celebrate and promote the importance of pets in our lives. Rather ironic.
As a salute to National Pet Week “The bond with a pet is a unique connection that enriches our lives in countless ways.” Unknown
Pet of the Week:
Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
