PAWS TO PONDER

 by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc. 

Did you know, in less than a month’s time, between emails and phone calls, we received over 40 requests to surrender pets? I reviewed the recent call log and want to share the increasing number of unwanted animals and where the calls are from to give you an idea of one aspect of animal sheltering. These calls do not include found, stray, injured animals or orphaned kittens.  Sad to say, they are all owner surrenders:

• Two 4 yr. old male cats – can’t keep them – Bloomingburg
• 9 yr. old Maltese/Chihuahua – can’t afford – Chester
• 4 cockatiels – can no longer care for – Warwick
• 3 dogs – City of Newburgh Animal Control
• 1 yr. old Australian Cattle Dog – cannot afford – no time for – via email
• 5 yr. old Husky – too big for small children – via email
• 3 adult cats each with litters – cannot afford – Ellenville
• 2 small dogs – family illness – Crown Heights
• 2 Guinea pigs – daughter going to college – via email
• 3 Guinea pigs -wants to rehome – Newburgh
• 2 Chihuahuas – one dog afraid of special needs son – Newburgh
• 1 adult cat with kittens – abandoned – Dundee, NY
• 2 Guinea pigs – wants to surrender – Highland Falls
• 1 yr. old Husky – no vet care, cannot afford – Middletown
• 1 Parakeet – no longer wants – Warwick
• 7-month-old German Shepherd – wants to rehome – Dutchess County
• 2 de-clawed 10 + 12 yr. old cats – DOWNSIZING – Woodbury
• 2 Pitbull mixes – wants to surrender – Clifton, NJ
• 1 elderly cat – cannot afford, has kidney issues – Warwick
• 2 six-month-old kittens – can’t keep – Chester
• 8 yr. old terrier mix – family illness, moving – Monroe
• 8 yr. old Chihuahua mix – doesn’t want – Chester
• 20 cats – owner removed from home – New Windsor
• 2 yr. old cat – going to college – Kingston
• 4-month-old kitten – older cat not getting along – Warwick
• 10 yr. old German Shepherd – moving + new job – Middletown
• 2 young cats and 5 kittens – want to surrender – Goshen
• 5 kittens – wants to surrender – Suffern
• 10-month-old cocker spaniel – cannot handle – New Hampton
• 10 yr. old dog – moving, cannot keep – Pine Island
• Aggressive, biting dog – wants removed – Middletown
• 12 yr. old cat + 2 one yr. old cats – wants to surrender – Middletown
• 7 yr. old husky/pit mix – family health – Greenwood Lake
• 3 yr. old German Shepherd – moving – Montgomery
• 11 yr. old Chinchilla – cannot keep – New Jersey
• 3 yr. old Bully/Boxer – doesn’t get along with other dog – Newburgh
• Aggressive bully  – wants to surrender – Newburgh
• 2 yr. lab mix – wants to surrender – Ellenville
• 10 lb. Cockapoo – wants to surrender – Middletown

And these disheartening calls continue…

There is no way we could be able to intake all of these unwanted pets. Having contracts with the Towns of Chester and Warwick makes those calls a priority, depending on the situation.  As a no kill shelter, no animals are euthanized just to make space, and space is always at a premium. Only adoptions create space to help the next rejected pet.  Pet ownership, by purchase, gift, adoption or by any other means, should be for the lifetime of the pet. “Our pets are our family.” – Ana Monnar    

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