People Helping Pets: Humane Society
Pets make good companions. Timmy had Lassie, Jon had Garfield, even The Jetsons had Astro in space. And why not? Pets become part of your family. They curl up next to you on the couch and almost seem to understand how you feel after a long day. Unfortunately, many pets don’t receive the love and care they deserve. Every year in Alachua County, 4,000 stray dogs and cats are euthanized as the population continues to explode.
“People fail to realize that a pet is a lifetime commitment,” said Becky Goodman, executive director of Alachua County Humane Society (ACHS.) “Pets need to be collared and have a microchip in case they become lost; and owners need to be more responsible (for their pets) than letting them loose if they can no longer provide for them.”
Fortunately ACHS has several programs to help combat the over population problem. The Gallenkamp Spay/Neuter Program provides low-cost spay/neuter services to Alachua County residents and Maddie’s Pet Rescue Project, a community collaboration of pet rescue organizations throughout Alachua County, is devoted to finding homes for homeless dogs and cats.
The ACHS has 200 animals in their care including those on site and the ones placed in foster homes. Over 1,000 animals are adopted each year. Animals such as nursing kittens and dogs undergoing heartworm treatments are typically placed in foster homes where they receive specialized care in a less stressful environment.
“We try to make the foster program as easy and painless as possible to become involved with so that we can save the most lives,” Goodman said.
Other than fostering a pet, ACHS is always looking for people to get involved with their cause either by volunteering at their shelter or thrift store or helping with the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers pet food to the elderly or through fundraisers such as the Fuzzy Friends Yard Sale on October 20. Ongoing support is always needed by simply donating items such as dry food, litter and pet toys needed on a daily basis. The ACHS spends $1,000 dollars a month on litter alone, Goodman said.
Moreover, few people realize the rehabilitation needs of some of the animals that arrive at ACHS. It took Sunshine and Smoochy, two puppies that came to the shelter, 11 months to fully rehabilitate. They suffered from demodectic mange, bone growth and respiratory issues, internal parasites and 80 percent hair loss, as well as fear of people. Though both animals made full recoveries, Goodman said it was very emotional when they were adopted. “You can’t work to benefit the welfare of animals and not become emotionally invested,” she said. ACHS also works to stop animal cruelty early on, giving presentations to elementary through high school students, as well as at The Hippodrome’s Summer Spectacular Theatre Camp every year.
“We need people looking to add a pet to their family to adopt rather than purchase from a breeder, as it’s the only way healthy, adoptable pets won’t die in Alachua County.”